Welcome to season 4, episode 11 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

In this episode Patty shares about some very challenging times in her life including when she was a stay at home Mom who was suddenly left by her then husband leaving her with two little girls and no income coming in . She talks about all the ways she lifted herself up to continue to ensure that her and her children were able to not just keep the lights on but thrive. She rejoined the workforce and after a few roles working for others, she opened an empanada shop and then with some support opened a restaurant. She found love 12 years ago and was married over a year ago. Now, she is thriving as a real estate agent working for nest seekers a game changing firm in the rapidly expanding global real estate marketplace.

During Covid she started seeing a significant change in the way her youngest daughter was acting. From marijuana cards to much stronger drugs Patty has had to watch as her daughter struggled through some very difficult times always being there to support her with love, tough love, and honesty.

Now, Patty is using her voice to share her experience with other parents who may be going through these same challenges. If you or someone you know is dealing with addiction there is help and ongoing support for you. Alcoholics Anonymous - aa.org, Narcotics Anonymous - usa.na.org or contact Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services hotline: 800-662-h-e-l-p. For those in need know that there is hope and help available.

Please subscribe to the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube Channel and also please place a review on Apple Podcasts - we are streaming on most streaming platforms and episodes have been downloaded in 833 cities around the globe.

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Have a great week everyone.

Welcome to season 4, episode 11 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

This week my guest is Nick Cucci, Executive Director, Recording Academy.

It is not often you meet someone who has worked with the likes of David Bowie, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, Dixie Chicks, Soul Asylum, Harry Connick Jr, Kate Bush, KISS, and the list goes on and on. Nick Cucci started his career working for college radio in NJ. In this episode you will hear how Nick went from local college radio to being the Senior Executive Director for the New York Chapter of the Recording Academy. The Recording Academy does so much for the music industry – the one thing you may recognize is that the Recording Academy produces the Grammy Awards. Before the Recording Academy he held senior positions at Rough Trade Records, Columbia Records, RCA Records and MTV.

Nick understands and has seen first-hand the impact that music has on all of our lives. It helps people through difficult times, we listen to it to celebrate milestones, and it is part of our everyday life. Nick has spent his career helping those whose passion and love of the music get their voices and instruments heard by the masses. This story truly is one that proves you really have no idea where your path will lead you and who you will meet along the way. What I loved most about this interview is that you can truly hear how much Nick loves the work he does. It is not just a job or career. Music is embedded in his soul.

Please take a moment to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Today is the Day Live It. Also, we would love it if you would subscribe to the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube Channel. It helps our guest get their voices heard.

At this time this podcast has been heard in 71 countries/territories and 829 cities around the globe. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Have a great week everyone!

Welcome to season 4, episode 9 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

This week I am joined by special guest co-host, Fred Wasiak, President & CEO of the Food Bank of South Jersey. Together they interview Megan LoBue, Grant Writing Specialist for the Food Bank of South Jersey. Megan was a guest in season 1, episode 15.

We talk about Megan's new role at the Food Bank of South Jersey. It continues to be an amazing journey watching Changemaker podcast guests get to know each other and work together.

Megan and Fred share about food insecurity and how things have actually gotten worse since the pandemic.

We find out some things we all have in common. We also talk about the joy it is to surround yourself with like-minded people trying to make the world a better place.

I hope you find a nugget of information that you can take with you in your day.

Remember today is the day! You can't go back to yesterday and you do not yet own tomorrow. So, my question to you, the listener is - what steps small or large are you going to take today to get yourself closer to your goals.

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Today is the Day Live It. To learn more about Today is the Day go to www.todayisthedayliveit.com. Subscribe to the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube channel. We hope you may consider leaving a review.

Have a fabulous week!

Welcome to season 4, episode 7 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

This week Jodi is joined by special guest co-host the inFredible (more than incredible) Fred Wasiak, President and CEO of the Food Bank of South Jersey. Together, they interview Richard Uniacke, President, Bridges Outreach.

Fred has now been on the podcast for four episodes. He is looking forward to being on one more time to receive the special Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast jacket.

Richard starts our conversation sharing about his love of the performing arts as a young child. We talk about his trajectory to becoming the President, of Bridges Outreach. It is an incredible story.

Bridges Outreach mission is to end homelessness through street outreach and intensive case management focusing on health, housing, and independence. Bridges forms relationships with those experiencing homelessness while meeting their most urgent needs. Their programming is so necessary and needed.

As we talk further, Richard shares a few very touching stories. One of them is about a woman who went from living in a domestic violence situation, to being shot by her husband, to finding herself homeless. It took a long time to get her to where she needed to be. Those in need don't always trust those who want to help. Trust needs to be formed. The numbers of those who are without shelter are staggering and Bridges Outreach needs your support as they support the masses.

Please subscribe to the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube Channel or stream. Today is the Day continues to search across the world for Changemakers. if you are a Changemaker who wants to share what you are doing to make your corner of the world or beyond a better place, please email jodi@todayisthedayliveit.com. Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Today is the Day Live It.

Welcome to another episode of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

This week Jodi's guest is Jeff Massone. Jeff is the Founder of Prepared Leader Consulting. Take a listen to how Jeff started off on his journey thinking about being a veterinarian, moving into the pharmaceutical space, to now coaching emerging leaders on their journey. It proves the importance of listening to what drives you. Your trajectory is only determined by your motivation and determination.

Now, Jeff is working to help those who want to move up the ladder to leadership positions by providing them with coaching that will help them to be the most effective leader in their role. Jeff shares that you want to be the one people call even when they don't need you.

Take a listen to this episode as well via the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube Channel. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Today is the Day Live It.

Have a great week everyone!

Welcome to season 4, episode 6 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

My next guest is Nicholas Marco. From ICU nurse to Hand and Stone, Sweat440, and Drybar franchisee.

Nick started out as a Penn State graduate, enrolling in a nursing program a week after. He is now credited with generating 28 million dollars of revenue in the last year and franchisee of 11 Hand and Stone NJ locations and 20 Ohio locations.

At the age of 14 years old, Nick came up with the name Hand and Stone and shared the idea with his father, John Marco. For this, he received a special gift when he turned driving age - a new car!

Beginning his journey as a registered nurse in the ICU, Nick acquired his love for the health industry and set out on his wellness path. He then realized he loves franchising and now has over 500 employees in his company. Despite being such a hard worker, Nick says he “never feels like he’s going to work” as he has maintained that the work he is doing always make him feel like he is making a difference. He continues to work on having a healthy work- life balance.

In addition to all his amazing skills and leadership positions, Nick also just recently launched a podcast titled, The Opportunity Coach, which will be full of his wisdom and knowledge from his dynamic work experiences.

Nicholas Marco shares about surrounding yourself with the right people, the people that want to see you grow. He has made it his mission to do the same for others. He has much to give in the areas of coaching, business, and overall life advice.

Click here to listen to Nick's new podcast. The Opportunity Coach.

Please take a moment and subscribe to the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube Channel or stream on all streaming sites and if you can please leave a review. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Today is the Day Live It.

Have a great week everyone!

Welcome to the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast.

I am so excited to welcome Patricia McLoughlin, general manager of the Anthem Awards, and overall wonderful, passionate human. Her personal goal has always been to find solutions for creating equitable spaces and within this position she is accomplishing just that.

The Anthem Awards is a global mission which was created to uplift and celebrate innovative work happening in the social impact space. This includes for- profits, non-profits, agencies, individual efforts, efforts of students, etc. Cause areas range from diversity, equity, inclusion, education, arts, culture, health, human and civil rights, humanitarian action, responsible technology, sustainability, climate and the environment. Each year over 2000 entries are received from all over the world from amazing individuals.

The Anthem Awards will be opening up for their fourth season this year, with submissions being accepted starting April 9. Anyone can enter through the website, submitting either a link, document, or report. If anyone is considering applying, it is strongly recommended to reach out to Patricia McLoughlin as her professional standpoint will help categorize the submission to fit the Anthem Awards process. To learn more about the Anthem Awards, visit anthemawards.com or search @anthemawards on social media.

Please take a moment and subscribe to the Today is the Day Changemakers YouTube Channel or stream on all streaming sites and if you can please leave a review. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Today is the Day Live It.

Have a great week everyone!

Welcome to season 4, episode 4 of the Today is the Day Changemakers Podcast. Please take a moment to write a review and share this podcast episode if it resonates with you.

This week's guests are Sylvia Allen, President, Allen Consulting and Founder of Sylvia's Children in Uganda, Africa. Joining us is Terese Rolke, Executive Director, Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Listen in to hear how Sylvia became the grandmother to many in this incredible school in Uganda. Sylvia's Children is a non-profit founded to help the children at the Mbiriizi Advanced Primary and Day Care School in Mbiriizi, Uganda, Africa. The school is based on the British model and goes through Primary 7. After that the children go on to Secondary School (S-1 through S-6) and then can go to college and/or technical school.

The original objective was to teach the school how to be entrepreneurs so they would not be dependent on the charity. With the increase in enrollment (439 to 1080), the building of a 6,000 sq. ft. medical clinic, having a farm with 8,000 chicken, 42 pigs and 7 acres planted in corn and beans plus 100,000 coffee tree seedlings the school is capable of supporting itself. Thus,the initial mission was accomplished.

The mission of the organization has been expanded to include providing secondary school and advanced education to any orphan that wishes to go beyond P-7. As of January 1, 2023, they have 150 orphans in secondary school and 50 in college and/or technical school. They have already had 77 orphan graduates and another group will graduate summer 2023. These are the people that will change and improve the culture as they move into adulthood.

Sylvia invited Terese and others to take a trip to visit the school in Uganda in November 2023. Sylvia lives in NJ. Terese shares what an incredible experience it was to meet the children and provide them with gifts and trinkets during their holiday season. Included in the group of volunteers that took time out of their own busy schedules to have this incredible experience was a healthcare professional. She checked in on the children to make sure they were doing well.

Terese, started as a volunteer for the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce, became a board member and the moved to a paid role as the full time, Executive Director. It is through her work there that she met Sylvia. Sylvia is a member of MRCC and has been honored through the organization with an Athena Award.

Terese described the experience of going to visit Sylvia's Children as “amazing”, saying the children “stole her heart” immediately.

To contribute to this cause or to learn more, visit https://allenconsulting.com/sylvias-c....

To learn more about the Monmouth Regional Chamber of Commerce go to https://www.monmouthregionalchamber.com/.