On Mic Podcast

Human Powered Potential creates bold, imagination-capturing endurance events that raise funds to support The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.  Meet two of the four members of the rowing team that set out on a journey that captured the world’s attention.   Brendan Cusack and Patrick Morrissey join me to reflect  on  their epic trek, rowing all the way from the coast of California to Hawaii.  They crossed the untamed Pacific surviving stormy seas and a variety of challenges.  What makes this story extra special is that Patrick has early onset Parkinson’s Disease.  Their  mission took well over a month and raised an incredible $43 million dollars for the fight against PD.  Welcome to a story of strength, courage, resilience and friendship.  Check out additional details at www.humanpoweredpotential.org!

Most people agree that moving is pretty stressful.  Whether home or business, nearby or across the country, handling a move is a project that you want to leave to the professionals.  Meet Larry O’Toole, the founder of the Gentle Giant Moving Company.  From his humble beginnings in the Boston area to locations in a dozen states, Larry has built a solid business without compromising his family values.  And he has written about it all in a fine new book called “Heavy Lifting: Building a Business with a Giant Heart.”  It is part leadership lesson, part memoir, and definitely inspirational.  And there are some fun stories about adventures in the moving industry.  Yes, some involve pianos.  Enjoy!

Today we chat with a living legend, musician Peter Noone, who will be appearing at the Needham Bank Great Hall in Needham, Massachusetts on November 21.  At the age of fifteen, Peter achieved international fame as Herman, lead singer of the legendary Sixties pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits included: “I’m Into Something Good” “Mrs. Brown, you’ve Got A Lovely Daughter”, “I’m Henry VIII, I Am”, “Silhouettes”, “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat”, “Just A Little Bit Better”, “Wonderful World”, “There’s A Kind of Hush”, “A Must To Avoid”, “Listen People”, “The End of the World” and “Dandy”. Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over sixty million recordings. In all, fourteen singles and seven albums went gold. The Hermits were twice named Cashbox’s “Entertainer of the Year”.  Find out more and get tickets at  www.greathallperformance.org!

Meet David Chanoff and Paula S. Apsell, co-authors of an important new book entitled, “They Fought Back: Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust.”  The book tells the many untold stories of Jewish resistance during the Holocaust, describing the often unrecognized dignity and courage with which Europe’s Jewish people faced the Nazi regime’s war of extinction. When few believed fighting back was possible,  many did indeed focus instead on how to face death with purpose, seeking to inflict damage on their oppressors, save what lives that they could and preserve Jewish honor.

Clea Simon is the Boston Globe-bestselling author of three nonfiction books and 30 mysteries, including The Butterfly Trap, Bad Boy Beat, World Enough and Hold Me Down.   A graduate of Harvard University and former journalist, she has contributed to publications ranging from Salon.com and Harvard Magazine to Yankee and The New York Times.  Clea, like so many, is also dealing with cancer and finds herself at a crossroad.  Her cancer can essentially be cured if she gets a liver transplant.  But the prospects for her receiving the organ are challenging.  Still, this engaging, creative lady is tough and resilient as she  advocates for herself and others.  Learn more about the donor program that Clea is involved in at www.bidmc.org/liverdonor.

Today meet Allan Schiller, a retired violinist with the New York Philharmonic who performed from 1964 to 1999 under legendary conductors including Leonard Bernstein, Zubin Mehta and Kurt Masur.  In an effort to make classical music more accessible to all he has written, “The Wannabe Classical Music Aficionado: 46 Insights to Make Your Next Concert a More Enjoyable Experience.”  Learn about how centuries of musical tradition have quietly shaped what we hear today.  Allan shares backstage stories, and tips on everything from the role of the conductor to when it is appropriate to clap during a performance.  Whether it is your first or fiftieth concert, the book helps to remove the mystery surrounding classical music.  Your seat is waiting!

Screenwriter and novelist Gary Goldstein talks about his latest book, “ Canine Custody.”  It is a funny, candid, sexy, at times bittersweet look at what draws lovers to each other, how those same things can send them packing, and the surprising role our pets can play in life’s major decisions.   Told from three points of view—the wife, the husband and the wonderful Betty, their beloved dog, the story is witty,  touching and totally relatable.  For dog lovers and anyone in a relationship (I guess that means  all of us) this novel is well worth the read!

Today’s guest is novelist Brinda Charry, a winner of the Society of American Historians Prize (formerly the James Fenimore Cooper Prize) for Historical Fiction.  Her latest novel is entitled, “Hocus Pocus,” a well-researched tale about the clash of ambition and obsession in 1816 Boston.  Based on the real-life Indian stage magicians who captivated nineteenth-century society, “Hocus Pocus” is an engaging adventure, set in an era that Brinda magically brings to life!

Today enjoy my conversation with Advertising Hall of Famer Linda Kaplan Thaler, author of “My Life in 30 Seconds.”  The book chronicles her iconic ad campaigns that are so much a part of American pop culture – the Aflac “Duck,”  the Toys ‘R’ Us jingle that most anyone can sing by heart, those sexy, edgy  shampoo commercials that sparked nationwide buzz and much more.  Linda shares stories of famous celebrity encounters in this rare memoir that proves life’s biggest lessons don’t take a lifetime.  They often take about thirty seconds!

Taking better care of my body has been a key goal of mine and the hard work certainly pays off.  Today, I’d like you to meet my personal trainer, an exceptional guide to better health through exercise.   Mark Comstock is a fully licensed certified athletic trainer with a thorough background in human physiology, who focuses on prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic injuries and medical conditions.   He trains people from all backgrounds and ages and is someone who cares deeply about his clients, treating the whole person, often becoming their trusted friend.  Mark and I have been working together for a few years now.  I feel that I am in the best shape of my life and owe much of it to him.  We had the chance to talk before our workout  in a quieter part of the gym about his winning philosophy and approach.  You can find out more at www.markcomstock.com.