The Life Talk Show

Conversations to Enrich and Empower Your Life

 The Life Talk Show Podcast/Blog archive. Shows aired 2013-2022. No longer in production, but feel free to check out these timeless and empowering episodes!

Randye Kaye, Nicky Tomboulides, Diana Hall

Sharing Ideas for Meaning, Joy, and Success

Randye Kaye, host: Radio Personality, Voice Talent, Stage Actress, Acclaimed Author/Speaker

Nicky Tomboulides, co-host/producer, Housekeeping Consultant, Entrepreneur, Author,Teacher, Penguins Best

Diana Hall, co-host/producer, veteran middle school teacher and proud owner of Interiors by Diana 

  • Your Hosts:

    Randye Kaye

    Randye Kaye is an actress, broadcaster and singer, with credits that include 20 years as a Connecticut radio personality, theatre/film/TV/ voice-over actress. She is also the author of Happier Made Simple: Choose Your Words, Change Your Life and Ben Behind His Voices: One Family’s Journey from the Chaos of Schizophrenia to Hope, and a keynote speaker.

    Nicky Tomboulides

    Nicky Tomboulides is the owner of Penguin’s Best, LLC. She earned her MBA in Marketing from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Nicky’s first Children’s book, It is a Green Clean World, is available on Amazon.

    She also teaches Life Skill classes to many organizations on How to Keep it Green Clean at Home.

    Diana Hall

    Diana Hall is the founder of Interiors by Diana. Diana worked in the fashion and retail industries in New York and California for many years as a fashion coordinator, buyer and manager, then successfully earned a Master’s of Art Degree from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. After years of teaching middle school, Diana is now creating her “Gracious Interiors” full-time, and teaches design at the college level..

    and – the occasional male voice chimes in!

    Jim Masters occasionally joins our host panel with not only his most-welcome male perspective, but also a wealth of experience including a number of commercial television & radio outlets, as well as PBS nationally & locally, production & entertainment companies, internet sites and talent agencies.

    Contact Us:

    info@thelifetalkshow.com

    OR

    tweet us: @lifetalkshow

    or on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeTalkShow

balance, education, happiness Randye Kaye balance, education, happiness Randye Kaye

Show#22: Psychology of Ads: "Do I Really Need That?"

We all love shopping for goods and service. The question is do we need what we buy? What makes us buy that brand?

We hear and see more and more ADS every day - how much do they influence us?  And, which ones get us to act now? How do they do it?

We speak with guest, Professor of Marketing at Sacred Heart University Dr. David Taylor.

here's the link: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow/episodes/2013-11-07T15_02_23-08_00

Or click on the player!  

Dr. Taylor’s expertise include e-commerce, online, word-of-mouth, consumer self-expression through, online social network, and consumer relationships.

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Show #21: Boss Ladies - Running Your Own Business

Kathy McShane, Ladies Who Launch

What are the challenges of running your own business? Does being a woman make it more difficult? What are secrets to success? Our guests are Stephanie Blackwell, owner of Aurora Products Inc. - and Mom of four - and Kathy McShane, managing director of Ladies Who Launch in Southwest Connecticut.


player:

link (use on tablets): PODOMATIC The Life Talk Show

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connection, family, happiness, relationships Randye Kaye connection, family, happiness, relationships Randye Kaye

Show #20: Siblings: Friends for Life?

Brothers, sisters...they shape our lives forever, whether we like it or not. We talk about rivalry, birth order, step-families, and how things can change - or maybe not - once we are adults. Guests are Trevor Crow, author of "Forging Healthy Connections", and Dr. Kevin Leman, author of the classic "Birth Order Book" and more.

PLAYER:

Dr. Kevin Leman, an internationally renowned psychologist and New York Times Bestselling Author of more than 30 books, including the classic Birth Order Book. He provides easy techniques, helpful tips and clear insight that will change the way you look at and resolve the parenting, marriage and relationship issues in your life.

Dr. Leman fills us in on the power of birth order for siblings, and talks about his latest book, Parenting Your Powerful Child.


Trevor Crow- is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a certification in Emotionally Focused Therapy. Watch for her upcoming book, Forging Healthy Connections: How Relationships Fight Illness, Aging and Depression.

TrevorCrow.com

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arts, connection, education, happiness, inspiration Randye Kaye arts, connection, education, happiness, inspiration Randye Kaye

Show #19: Art: Express Yourself, Change Your Life

How do you express yourself? For our guests, ART is the medium - but it's their stories that will inspire you the most. Urban Art, Graffiti Art, a new method called Pastac, Nature, Black and White vs. Color....but you'll also hear how our guests' lives were changed forever by their artistic expression - and how they are helping others.

Player:

Jahmane- his career as an Artist began in the form of “Grafitti”, or “Urban Art” and has evolved into a wide spectrum of mediums including works on canvas, photography, clothing design, mural painting, screen printing and graphic design.Through years of training and life experiences as an “Artist of the People”, Jahmane has developed a unique style that combines social awareness, spirituality, mythology and abstract language in way that intrigues all who view his work. His work has been internationally displayed and locally through exhibitions such as Westport Center for the Arts.
ArtofJahmane.com


Frieda Howling-  Her numerous solo shows include ones held in Munich and Berlin, Germany. Her work graces many private collections in the US and abroad."Nature is the primary focus of my work," says Frieda, "the awesome forces of nature... The artist has the privilege to translate nature’s forms into various moods which will affect the inner and spiritual emotions of the viewer". 
FriedaHowling.com


Brendan Loughlin- is Guilford’s artistic Johnny Appleseed. Along the streets, on shop doors and gates and fences bordering the green, he has planted landscapes that sprout everywhere- great ripples of color.In the book LOUGHLIN written by Jo Montgomery you find a remarkable true story of an extraordinary man, and his ability to rise above abandonment, abuse and poverty to find refuge and peace expressing himself through his art! 
BrendanLoughlin.com

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Show #18: Movie Therapy: Films That Change Our Lives

Another “Just Us” Segment

Yes, "cinema therapy" is a real thing! In this "just us" segment, we each share our top five movies and how they made a difference in our lives. 

We chose:
(Randye) It's a Wonderful Life, Mr. Holland's Opus, Cast Away, The Turning Point. Sliding Doors 

(Diana) Steel Magnolias, Sound of Music, Titanic, Message in a Bottle, Bridges of Madison County

(Nicky) Sound Of Music, Ghandi, Gone With the Wind, The Color Purple, Mrs. Doubtfire

What are yours?

link: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow/episodes/2013-10-12T08_38_01-07_00

player:

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family, happiness, mental health, relationships Randye Kaye family, happiness, mental health, relationships Randye Kaye

Show #17: Nothing Lasts Forever. Grief, Loss and Acceptance

We all experience loss - of relationships, jobs, friendships. But when that loss involves the death of a loved one, the process requires special attention.

Our guests are Armen Bacon and Nancy Miller, authors ofGriefland, a book that has offered support, comfort and advice to many who have experienced the unthinkable: the loss of a child.

Then, our wonderful guest - Mara Brosler - from Connecticut Hospice, talks about the process of death and dying - and those are two different things. Enjoy this insightful show.

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Show #16: Body Image. Talk Back to the Mirror!

realistic for all?

Don't like what you see in the mirror? Maybe you are influenced by the media, unrealistic expectations, old messages, negative thinking.  We explore the issues, from teens to older, males and females - weight, wrinkles, reality, etc. - with guest Ilise Gold,  (Ilise Gold Life Management LLC) - learn to love your body again!

We also interview a man who lost 80 pounds - and has kept it off - about how it changed his confidence.


on a tablet? Here is the link to Podcast on Podomatic:

or, just click the arrow on the player below (on your computer, usually)

Some books we mentioned 

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Show #15: Living Your Magic Life

Nana’s Book

Want your dreams to come true? This simple formula points the way to living your magic life. We talk, laugh and share with Nana Danso, award-winning speaker, author of Real Magic: Breaking Through the Illusion of Success

Nana is also an award winning speaker - with, of course, magic included! Check out his websitewww.nanadanso.com

After the show, Nana amazed us with some sleight-of hand, too (see picture below)


Nana, Randye, Diana, Nicky, and Milford Edwards (our producer at WDJZ)

On a tablet? here is the link: Podcast: Living Your Magic Life

On your computer, just click the arrow to play the show:

The formula spells MAGIC, of course -

Post-show magic!
Nana amazes Nicky

  • Motivation

  • Aspirations

  • Gifts

  • Inspiration

  • Confidence

Listen to the show to find out how it frames the details that will inspire you to your magic life.

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happiness, relationships Randye Kaye happiness, relationships Randye Kaye

Show #14: Second Chances at Love

One of Ronnie Ann Ryan’s Resources

After divorce, loss, or a lifetime of "living single" - can we fall in love again? We talk with relationship and dating coach Ronnie Ann Ryan, author of many books and resources including MANifesting Mr. Right about how to find love no matter what your age - and meet a couple who found new love with each other in their senior years.

And, we learn: What is "flirt school"? and other fun tips!

on a mobile device? hear or download the podcast here:

Second Chances at Love: Podcast

on your computer, just click "play" arrow: 

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Show #13 - Educating the Whole Child

Many say that our children do not graduate prepared to truly succeed in the world. Are schools too focused on mere academics, always "teaching to the test"?

How can our children's education change so that they experience more skills like problem solving, personal communication, empathy? Can our schools embrace the ethical, social, and cognitive needs as well?

In this sometime controversial episode of The Life Talk Show, we talked with three guests:

1 - Hans Wilhelm - With over 42 million copies in print, Hans Wilhelm is one of  America’s foremost author/illustrators of children’s books.Many of his 200 books have been translated into more than thirty languages and have become successful animated  television series that are enjoyed by children all over the world.“Sharing hope, joy, and confidence with others are the main  reason I create books” says Wilhelm. To learn more:

2 - Theresa Tillinger - Principal of St. Ann Academy in Bridgeport, CT , tells us about how her students helped to build a new school in Kenya, were featured on 60 Minutes, and what they all learned. Here is how her school's philosophy is to "let students lead."

3 - Dr. David Martin tell us more about metacognition, and why it's vital for students to "think about thinking." More information on his research can be found at the NAFA homepage. His book, Thinking Academy,  describes how any school may become a Thinking Academy, in which all subject matter in the curriculum has an explicit foundation in higher-level Thinking Strategies. Look for it on e-Bay, and soon on Amazon.

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow/episodes/2013-09-01T13_12_18-07_00

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connection, education, mental health Randye Kaye connection, education, mental health Randye Kaye

Show #12: Books that Changed Our Lives

"Reading brings us unknown friends.” — Honoré de Balzac

Fiction, non-fiction....philosophy, self-help...what books have changed your life? Randye, Nicky and Diana share a few in this special "just us" segment.

The books we discussed (we brought so many more!)

The panel's favorite books:

Randye-

Randye’s Books

  • The Stand- Stephen King

  • Seven Sins for a Life Worth Living - Roger Housden

  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People- Stephen R. Covey

  • Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day - Judith Viorst

Nicky-

  • The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne

  • The Four Agreements- Miguel Ruiz

  • The Color of Water- James McBride

  • The Prophet- Khalil Gibran

  • You Can Heal Your Life- Louise Hay

  • The Dance of Anger- Harriet G. Lerner

  • The Seat of The Soul- Gary Zukav

  • The Lord is my Shepherd- Psalm 23

Diana -

  • The Power of Now- Ekhart Tolle

  • Eat This Not That-David Zinczenko

  • Bridges of Madison County- Robert J. Walker

  • The Five Languages of Love- Gary Chapman


https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow/episodes/2013-08-12T14_09_00-07_00

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balance, family, happiness, health, relationships Randye Kaye balance, family, happiness, health, relationships Randye Kaye

Show #11: Aging Parents: Preparing, Caring, Protecting

According to US News, "Nineteen million Americans care for someone over age 75, typically a parent or a grandparent, who may or may not live with them. Often called "informal caregivers," these adult children or relatives provide 75 to 80 percent of all long-term care in the United States.

"We talked about the issues of preparing for this stage of life, caregiving, and prevention of theft and scam through awareness. Thanks to our guests in this important show: we learned a lot!!

by the way, the FBI has a great page for info on scams and fraud. As our guests reminded us, "awareness is key." Check it out!

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Show 10: Good Nutrition: Sustainably Delicious

Sustainably Delicious by our guest Michel Nischan

How can we eat well and deliciously? Going to local farmers is one important key to food that both tastes amazing and is better for us. Guest Michel Nischan - chef, cookbook author and CEO and founder of Wholesome Wave. He teamed up with like-minded actor and philanthropist Paul Newman to open “The Dressing Room-Newman’s Own”, a homegrown restaurant located on the grounds of Westport’s Country Playhouse.

Launch of Wholesome Wave’s Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program (FVRx) in two New York City Hospitals

On the phone we also welcome guest Glen Colello – co-owner with Lisa Storch of Catch a Healthy Habit Café in Fairfield, Connecticut. The Café serves Raw Food, Juice Bar and Smoothies.

A bit about Wholesome Wave - "Wholesome Wave programs improve the accessibility and affordability of healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables. We reach over 28 states, working with more than 60 community-based organizations who manage nearly 400 farm-to-retail venues, and impact more than 3,200  farmers."

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow/episodes/2013-08-01T10_58_01-07_00

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Show #9: Love, Medicine, and Miracles, w/Bernie Siegel

Bernie’s 12th Book

Our special guest for this show is Dr. Bernie Seigel. Bernie  has touchedmany lives all over the planet. In 1978 he reached a national and international audience when he began talking about patient empowerment. In his latest book ( his 12th ) “A Book of Miracles- Inspiring True Stories of Healing , Gratitude, and Love.” Dr. Seigel reaffirms his original beliefs, who advices more LOVE as a path to healing, and with a lifetime’s wisdom and experience, he trusts in miracles more than ever, 

Trio's Tips:
Diana-Forgiveness is Love, un-forgiveness is hate. Forgive the wrongs done by others to you, and perhaps others will forgive you for your wrongs.

Nicky- Healing comes from having faith and love in your heart.

Randye- Sometimes the only thing left to change about a situation is your reaction to it, and your thoughts about it.

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Show #8: The Commonality of Faith

Interfaith Hug

If all faiths share the idea of "love one another", why do we get bogged down in whose idea about faith is "right"? We explore what faiths have in common with Dr. Brian Stiltner, Chairperson and Associate Professor of Department of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University.

PS - You may also want to check out a related article in the Connecticut Post. On Sunday, July 28, 2013 nearly 100 Jews, Christians and Muslims gathered on McLevy Green in downtown Bridgeport for an interfaith celebration and meal in observance of Ramadan.

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow

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Show # 7: The Power of Purpose

Champions! Mentor and Mentee

Leo Rosten said, "The purpose of life is not to be happy; but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all." Randye, Nicky and Diana talk about the power of purpose, with special guests Tina Banas of Family Reentry Champions and Daee McKnight, Re-Entry Coordinator helping those released from prison to find ways to make their life matter now.

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Show #6: Juggling: Attempting the Work-Life Balance

Work Life. Personal Life. Skills. Hobbies. Friends. Family. How do we juggle it all? Or do we? Randye, Nicky and Diana talk about striving for balance in this special "Just Us" Episode. Every six weeks, we go it alone, just the three of us sans guest. Like having coffee with friends!

Some tips we shared:(lots more in the podcast)

  • It's not easy! It's a continuous process. Try balancing on one leg and you'll see what we mean!

  • Working at home? Separate Workspace from Living Space

  • Remember to take care of yourself too. Have something to look forward to, even if it's just a cup of tea after the kids are in bed

  • Diana: remember that everyone else struggles with this too - cut yourself some slack!

  • Randye: Prioritize, Compartmentalize, Schedule...and do your best. Forgive yourself.

  • Nicky: "Never, never never give up!" Winston Churchill

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow/episodes/2013-07-30T16_37_05-07_00

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Show #5: Critical Thinking

What happens when we teach people "how we think"? The results can be amazing, from elementary school students to seniors. Out guests are Katayoun Kamyab, biomedical scientist and Instrumental Enrichment      ( "Brain Gym") teacher; and Dr. David Martin, author of "Thinking Academy" - learn about meta-cognition and how it helps us!

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/lifetalkshow

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Show #4: Happiness Now

small book, big results!

Staying in the moment and focusing on gratitude are two of the keys to being happy - exactly where we are. Randye, Nicky and Diana speak with guest Dr. Paul Epstein, naturopathic physician, mind-body therapist, mindfulness meditation teacher - and he guides us all through a meditation!

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