Joining us from on location from the Boston Marathon starting line, Shamus Evans, with a quick appearance by Shaun, returns to the podcast (previously in episode 8) to showcase the energy and feelings and of “toeing the line” at the 128th running of the Boston Marathon.  Joined by 20 other duo teams, amongst nearly 100 Athletes With Disabilities (AWD), Shamus takes us back to his first Boston Marathon at just six months old watching his dad cross the finish line. Eighteen years later, the duo runs Boston together for their first time, embracing their ‘better together’ mantra in a spectacular showing for them both; finishing 26.2 miles under 3 hours! Shamus explains his plans for the fall as he heads off to college, but first tells us about his plans for supporting mental health in his community by hosting a run at his high school. This shorter episode packs a punch of emotion, so we also invite you to also consider watching this 50th episode, to see the joy of Shamus and Shaun as they started the race.  https://youtu.be/GSPLVnvyryA 

Email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org if you would like to ask a question, nominate a guest or recommend a future topic. Audio version of the Together, We Shall Podcast can be found on Buzzsprout (link below), on the Apple Podcast app, as well as on Spotify, Amazon, and the Ainsley’s Angels YouTube channel for those seeking closed captioning or just like to watch vice listen to podcasts. https://twspodcast.buzzsprout.com   

Together, We Shall Podcast is hosted by Kim ‘Rooster’ Rossiter, President and Co-Founder of Ainsley’s Angels of America, and Joe Orth, Executive Vice President of Ainsley’s Angels. This inclusive podcast takes you into a world of tangents and thoroughfares, focusing on a conversation to be determined. Highlighting current events, insightful antidotes and life lessons with banter, sit back and listen to a little bit of humor and a few emotional deep dives during each episode. Let’s roll! If you would like to join us on the podcast, place to share/tell stories and connect, or nominate someone to join us on the podcast, email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org 

Joining us from France, Briley Rossiter (Ainsley’s sister) returns to the show to provide an update on her happenings since Rooster and Joe last visited with her in Episode 2. From a daytime train to Barcelona and a Paris-bound Amsterdam bus at midnight to the Colosseum in Rome for New Year’s Eve and the French Alps to start the calendar year - Briley reports on her European travels and accessible observations from the Champagne Capital of the world.  An aspiring Mental Health professional, Briley shares her plans after France, as well as insight into how she leveraged curiosity to fully immerse herself into this opportunity to teach American culture and English to French students, while also working as a nanny for a local French family.  Embrace your curiosity and enjoy this insightful conversation.

Email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org if you would like to ask a question, nominate a guest or recommend a future topic. 

Audio version of the Together, We Shall Podcast can be found on Buzzsprout (link below), on the Apple Podcast app, as well as on Spotify, Amazon, and the Ainsley’s Angels YouTube channel for those seeking closed captioning or just like to watch vice listen to podcasts. https://twspodcast.buzzsprout.com  

The Together, We Shall Podcast is hosted by Kim ‘Rooster’ Rossiter, President and Co-Founder of Ainsley’s Angels of America, and Joe Orth, Executive Vice President of Ainsley’s Angels. This inclusive podcast takes you into a world of tangents and thoroughfares, focusing on a conversation to be determined. Highlighting current events, insightful antidotes and life lessons with banter, sit back and listen to a little bit of humor and a few emotional deep dives during each episode. Let’s roll! If you would like to join us on the podcast, place to share/tell stories and connect, or nominate someone to join us on the podcast, email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org

Kelly Piacenti, ChSNC®, Head of SpecialCare at MassMutual, educates Joe and Rooster on a range of very important topics for those caring for, or living with, people with special needs. Kelly’s late son, Nick, inspired her to do what she does today — to make everyone’s life a little easier. Kelly doesn’t believe in “disinheriting” and shares invaluable insight into how we can leave money to our loved ones with special needs when we die, without disqualifying them from government benefits. Topics range from financial planning and drafting a letter of intent, to navigating guardianship/conservatorship and exploring special needs trusts, as Kelly opens our minds to the resources of SpecialCare. Kelly reinforces, “It is great to have a plan in your head, but if it is not on paper, no one can help execute your plan when you are gone!”  

Email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org if you would like a copy of Kelly’s “Letter of Intent” template. 

Email ADP@AinsleysAngels.org if you might want to apply for the next Ally Development Program, powered by MassMutual.  

 Here is a short description of the workshops mentioned by Kelly:  

10 Basic Financial Steps for Special Needs Caregivers: This workshop will discuss 10 basic steps to help caregivers get started in preparing for the financial future of their dependent with special needs. As a caregiver of a dependent with special needs, the single most important issue on your mind, regardless of the age of the dependent, is what will happen to my dependent after I’m gone. There are some needs that will always be present and they must be carefully considered and planned for appropriately. This workshop addresses such critical issues as applying for government benefits for Social Security and Medicaid, creating a Special Needs Trust, the importance of a Will and considering a Letter of Intent. Taking these 10 basic steps now can help ensure the type of care and quality of life for a loved one’s well-being today and tomorrow.  

 ABLE Accounts: President Barack Obama signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE Act on December 19, 2014 as part of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. This law allows qualified individuals with disabilities to have a tax-advantaged savings account. This workshop provides information of ABLE accounts, as well as overview on special needs trusts as possible planning tools to enhance the quality of live for a loved one with special needs.  

Letter of Intent: A letter of intent is a way of communicating your desires and concerns, as well as caregiving instructions to future caregivers, guardians, trustees and advocates of dependents with special needs. This workshop will discuss how a letter of intent can be used as part of the special needs planning process. Although not a legally binding document, it will allow future caregivers to more quickly learn how to deliver the very best care possible. 

 https://www.massmutual.com/specialcare  

Dr. Camille Minor, EdD. joins Joe and Rooster for a special, insightful, raw, real conversation about belonging, acceptance, perspective and, how our formative life events shape who we become and what we value.  Dedicated to community and service, Camille is not only an Angel Ally, but also an Ainsley’s Angels of America board member. The daughter of a Marine, Camille maintains a deep connection to America’s Veteran and Gold Star Family communities through her work with the Travis Manion Foundation, a premier Veteran Service Organization.

Episode 45 features a one-of-a-kind, real-life unicorn, as Angel Jill Burwell is the only person in the world who has fulfilled all roles within the Ainsley’s Angels family. From Angel Ally to Angel Ambassador turned Angel Runner, Jill serves now as a Guardian Angel and Angel Athlete Rider.  Hear details of her journey as Jill, Joe, and Rooster, who are not Medical Doctors, discuss how we can all pick up a few tidbits from a little conversation on how to make intentional efforts to find “healthy and happy” through our choices.

On Episode 44 of the Together, We Shall Podcast, Joe and Rooster visit with husband/wife duo Blaise and Myra Camp about how their experience as participants and meeting people in the Ainsley’s environment has brought so much joy and acceptance that moved Myra to express, “I almost don’t feel disabled.”

On episode 43 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster kick off the new year reminiscing with Tracie David, Ainsley’s Angels of America Executive Assistant, about how her acceptance of an invitation to be part of a “running organization” as a non-runner evolved into a beautiful sense of belonging well beyond her imagination.

On episode 42 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster had a duo dance while reflecting on previous episodes with an emphasis on being thankful as we approach Thanksgiving. We also discuss the upcoming AinsGiving period, Giving Tuesday deals with Spartan, and a little challenge to close out 2023.

On episode 41 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with father/son duo, Michael and Donald Harms. When Michael and his wife, Hope, traveled to Jamaica in Spring 2010 to volunteer at a facility for people with special needs, they met a young man named Donald. What transpired since then is an amazing story of trust, triumph, and togetherness generally only encountered on the big screen.

On episode 40 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with two special physical therapists. These are not just any physical therapists. Peggy was Ainsley’s physical therapist and Laura interned with Peggy during her last year of Doctor of Physical Therapy school.  Join us as we reminisce and reflect on a few never-before-shared moments from the last 15 years. 

On episode 39 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with ASISCS professional athlete Makenna Myler about topics ranging from running a 5-minute mile while 9 months pregnant to acknowledging the impacts a menstrual cycle has on training and diet. Makenna also shares multiple messages aimed at different age groups of women on how to intentionally create environments to make daily decisions easier.  Great episode for women of all ages and for those with women in their lives…hence everyone!

On episode 38 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with High School Class of 2023 graduate Kamden Rossiter about how America’s Gen Z population perceives life and other generations. Kamden also shares his intimate perspective on living with and then grieving the loss of his sister, Ainsley. His keen insight into the strong influence that technology and politics have shaped his generation and why he has volunteered to serve America in the United States Coast Guard.

On episode 37 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with fellow Marine Corps Intelligence professional Kelly O’Clair. We talk about the burden of carrying secrets and how suppression can lead to fear, anxiety, and depression. Kelly shares his revelation of how embracing his true authentic self allowed him to escape his perceived need to blend in and to hide in the shadows as a gay man on active duty, married to a woman during and after the days of America’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. 

Episode 36 acknowledges Mental Health Awareness Month through conversation aimed at demonstrating how our connection to one another can be formed with sharing and listening.  Joe and Rooster chat with fellow Marine Corps Veteran Lupita Hernandez.  Lupita started running to improve her mental health to fight her depression and PTSD, but what grew from it was “Run for Their Lives,” a yearly ultra-marathon for PTSD awareness.  Parts of this conversation might make you feel a certain way; you are not alone; we believe to break the stigma associated with mental health requires discussion, sharing, and feeling all the feels.

The Together, We Shall Podcast has no script. It aims to bring people together to share their stories, and this week’s story just so happens to tie into Mother’s Day week(end) beautifully.  Lauren Perkins is the Mom of sextuplets.  She shares details of her pregnancy and the 11 years that I have followed. Her acknowledgment that as moms (people) we struggle to give ourselves grace and are really hard on ourselves can resonate with many of us. We appreciate her advice to give yourself some grace this Mother’s Day, and every day.

On episode 34 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with 1st Generation American and retired United States Marine Corps Fighter Pilot, Vishal Amin. After being placed on a kill list by the terror group ISIS in 2015, Vishal found himself and his family with their backs against the wall. This episode is not about how he fought back with his F/A-18 jet, but rather how he found safety by leaning into what really matters in life.... love, service to others, and reflection.

On episode 33 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Josh and Mrs. Mercedes Alvis who are raising  five military children under 10 years old.  We discuss a few of the unique aspects of raising military kids amid deployments, as well as intimate and emotional details associated with the the birth of their second born child, Gabe, who has Downs Syndrome.  Thank you, Alvis Family, for your service to our Nation. 

On episode 32 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with the co-founder of Detroit-based run club, We Run 313, Lance Woods.  A native of Detroit, MI, Lance has always dreamed of a better life for his family and friends. It wasn't until he left home for college in Tennessee that he realized he could help create the change he wanted to see for those in his hometown. Lance unselfishly employs our "Together, We Shall" ethos everyday in his efforts to create a happier and healthier community and we sincerely appreciate the perspective he shares with us all in this episode.  

March is Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is an inspiring tribute: Women Providing Healing and Promoting Hope. On episode 31 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with the President of the Travis Manion Foundation, Ryan Manion.  Ryan’s immeasurable service to our Nation’s Youth, Veterans, and Families of the Fallen has, provided healing and promoted hope. Ryan’s brother Travis was killed in action while serving as a Marine Officer in Iraq. She shares how her family channeled their grief through serving others and how she felt tremendous healing along the way.

On Episode 30 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster salsa with Southeast North Carolina Ambassador Susan Mikitka. Susan went from lawyer to produce broker to a Mom of twins. At only 27 weeks into her pregnancy, Susan's twins were ready to meet the world, but their start in this world was anything but smooth. Both girls dealt with severe health conditions from the start, but while one progressed to typical development, a respiratory infection followed by infantile spasms would have lifelong effects on the other, but according to Susan, "You do what the got to do to get it done," and that's what Susan did.  As a non-runner, Susan met a man pushing his son in a 5k she directed, and that started her down her road to becoming an Ainsley's Angels Ambassador along with accomplishing multiple Marine Corps Marathon finishes with her twins!

On Episode 29 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Andrew Reid.  Migrating from Jamaica as an undocumented citizen, Andrew shares insight about becoming an American citizen, but also into his spinal injury recovery journey. As an extremely athletic senior at the University of Florida, Andrew woke up one day unable to move and paralyzed from the chest down. Through determination and perseverance, Andrew went from a T3 complete paraplegic to using a wheelchair, to a walker to crutches to one crutch to now using a cane. While paralyzed, Andrew leaned into his creative passion and found his purpose. He has risen to become one of Hollywood’s few Directors with a disability and directed “Ainsley’s Angels: A Right to Run”  presented by On Running. Andrew is also the newest member of Ainsley’s Angels of America Board of Directors.

On Episode 28 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Amanda Piccirilli-Hall about the ebbs and flows of life. Growing up in Southeast Pennsylvania as a gifted soccer goalkeeper, Amanda rose to play Division I soccer at Loyola on a full-ride athletic scholarship. Of course, life has seasons and phases, and sometimes what we think will be the dream of a lifetime is changed with one biased, perception-based decision.  Amanda’s journey of overcoming societal judgment and faulty conclusion-induced depression is a story told to benefit us all.

 Joe and Rooster step onto the dance floor with Virginia Angel runner and Tidewater Striders President Thomas Hicks who takes us through his “Never Give Up” daily attitude as multiple sclerosis is slowly eating away at his body. Despite his everyday battles, Thomas talks about his passion for running, his future in the sport, and the work he does giving back to the running community. 

Joe and Rooster are in the hot seat, as Tim Davis guest hosts with probing questions. Quite the dance ensues, as we find out some lesser-known facts about our co-hosts. During Episode 26, we also debut a new segment —“Tales from the Course” — which takes all three of these combat Marines by surprise.

In 2021, there were over 107,000 drug overdoses in the United States. Over 70,000 of them were due to synthetic opioids, fentanyl. The national substance abuse and mental health services administration is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year: 800-662-HELP.