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.

On Episode 25 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Lori joins Joe and Rooster to take a fun and educational look back on Episodes 14-24.  Similar to Episode 13's look back on episodes 1-12, Lori shares how she was impacted by each episode, while also reading aloud a quote from each of the guests in each episode.  If you have missed an episode, 25 gives you a recap and idea of what you have missed and helps you find an episode of interest to you!  Thank you for your listenership in 2022, we look forward to sharing some new segments and perspectives next year!  Email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org with ideas for topics, segments, stories and guests.

On Episode 24 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Tanya McGee about her adoption journey, not as the “adopter” or as an “adoptee”, but as the teenager that chose to place her firstborn for adoption. November is Adoption Awareness month and in this episode, we hear an emotional story that offers awareness for an adoption perspective seldom discussed or shared publicly.

We offer this resource for additional information and assistance: 

https://www.americanadoptions.com/pregnant/adoption_hotline

On Episode 23 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome US Mailman Dave Goldstein (aka US MALE) to share his journey from anger after the birth of two sons with Joubert syndrome and a lifestyle of unhealthy competitive eating to the joy his family has found through endurance sport and healthier decisions.

On Episode 22 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Patrick Fellows to disprove the idea that ‘Men don’t have “those” conversations'.  September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (SPAM) and in this episode we aim to move the conversation about depression and isolation out of your “spam” folder and into your inbox. Just three friends having a chat about movement, mindset, reflection, living with depression, training for races and for life, and after the credits, being Dads in 2022.

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to be operated through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Providing 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress works. The Lifeline helps thousands of people overcome crisis situations every day.

On Episode 21 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Garia and Sebastian for some laughs, deep dives, and perspective! Garia offers her take on the secret to navigating life, both for herself as a single mom, and for her son, as he overcomes challenges with optimism and a can-do attitude every day.  Get ready to laugh out loud and pick up a few golden nuggets of wisdom in this episode full of insight. 

On Episode 20 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome Kristy High and her daughter Kendall Jade for some good old story-telling fun.  Kristy provides very insightful perspective from her journey as a Caregiver, Teacher, Mother and Leader.  Leading with gratitude, Kristy's appreciation for those special moments in life shines throughout this episode. 

On Episode 19 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster welcome PJ Sapienza to chat about the ways he has chosen to live an impactful life. Leading with an amazing sense of humor, PJ shares his story with vulnerability and transparency.  Serving the special needs community his entire life, PJ represents the good within all of us. Prepare to be uplifted.

On Episode 18 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Vickie and Melissa (aka Team 2 for 1) about their amazing journey of friendship, and recent Camino trek in Spain. Legally blind, Melissa runs with two legs. Paralyzed, Vicky runs with one arm, one leg and two wheels. Together, they are Team 2 for 1! 

On Episode 17 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Eric Noe, Athlete Rider from Virginia.  Tune in as the soon-to-be 21 year old talks about how he overcomes his daily struggles, how he found Ainsley’s Angels and his journey of waiting for an intestine transplant. 

On Episode 16 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Debbie Stachkunas of #StachkunasStrong. Tune in as Debbie shares a raw and emotional storytelling highlighting her adoption journey as a single mom to four outstanding kids that spans over four decades. She shares the highlights and lowlights that shaped her family into what it is today. Lighthearted banter closes out the episode as Sara Stachkunas jumps on the mic with her frankness and humor sure to put a smile on your face.

On Episode 15 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Michelle Smith, an Early Intervention/Special Education Professional and Ainsley’s Angels Senior Director. As one of the longest-tenured Ainsley’s Angels leaders and Ainsley’s preschool teacher, Michelle shares her perspective from the self-described “back seat,” as she is never one to embrace the spotlight. Always quick to sign up for “fun,” Michelle’s impact on the Rossiter family and Ainsley’s Angels of America is noteworthy, to say the least.

On Episode 14 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Darlene Marshall, a Holistic Wellness Coach, Personal Trainer, and Positive Psychology practitioner in Upstate New York. In this episode, they dive into the underlying research in why exercise, emotional experiences, and our lifestyle habits build well-being and what it means to build a flourishing life.  Darlene shares her story of how being diagnosed with a chronic illness shaped her life and lead her to work in fitness and well-being; as well as why Wonder Woman's superpower is actually Love.  You can find more of Darlene's work at www.darlene.coach or on her podcast Better Than Fine.   To take the VIA Character Strength Survey visit https://www.viacharacter.org/ 

On Episode 13 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster are revisited by Lori (episode 4) to take a look back at their favorite moments and highlights from the first 12 episodes of the podcast.  With humor and a few new fun facts woven throughout, this is the perfect episode to help you get caught up on what you might have missed, what you loved, or what you may like to revisit from our first “season”. 

On Episode 12 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Craig McDaniel, a School Psychologist and Ainsley’s Angels Ambassador in Kansas. This episode does contain a few emotional triggers but aims to normalize the conversation around mental health, specifically overcoming addiction and isolation. As a recovering alcoholic now sober for 20 years, as well as a foster parent turned Dad, Craig offers insight as both a professional and as a person on a very wide range of topics, with love woven throughout. 

On Episode 11 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster take a few deep dives with Bill Johncock.  Despite the three of them each being separated in age by more than a few years, these three Fathers discuss how the power of love, an invitation to feel, the “inspire be inspired” loop and our Mothers have elevated each of us to be better humans. 

As discussed, we invite you to meet the late, great Kim Stemple in Spotlight Saturday 166- https://youtu.be/8DLha_1_BcM

On Episode 10 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat South Mississippi Ambassadors Jen and Beth to discuss the power in actively listening of someone’s story. 
As advocates for inclusion of all people, Beth and Jen share reflections on their public service journey, the importance of appreciating everyone, and overcoming isolation. 

On Episode 9 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Christy Cormier, a childhood friend of Rooster and Lori turned sister of the Ainsley's Angels family.  As a caregiver to her daughter Carly and advocate for many across Louisiana, Christy takes us on an educational journey full of insight and perspective on concepts such as “driver's fatigue” and the “least dangerous assumption”. 

On Episode 8 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Shamus (16) and his dad, Shaun, as they share memories of their family's RUN ACROSS AMERICA!  Yes, from Washington State to New York....and yes, they too wrote a book rightly titled, “Better Together”!  We invite you to be moved by Shamus' generosity and wisdom well beyond his years, as well as their Dream Big mindset!
To purchase your copy of “Better Together” visit:
https://www.ainsleysangels.org/product/better-together-by-shaun-evans

On Episode 7 of the Together, We Shall podcast, Joe and Rooster chat with Shelly and Michael Warner who share segments of their “Together, We Shall” life-journey both before and after Mike became paralyzed after hitting two 1500 pound black angus cows at over 70 miles per hour and suffered a C5 spinal injury on impact!  Yes, they wrote a book rightly titled, “HOLY COW”! We invite you to be moved by their humor and gratitude throughout their years as athletes and storytellers.

To purchase a copy of “HOLY COW” go to,  https://teamwarnerinspire.org/holycow