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I'm Frickin' Lonely...Tell Me Your Story (Staying Connected Through Conversation)

I'm Frickin' Lonely...Tell Me Your Story (Staying Connected Through Conversation)

In its original iteration, this podcast explored the ways we'd all been impacted by the pandemic; hearing from my guests how the "COVID years" changed the trajectory of their lives, plans, or sense of purpose. And how they were still able to do great things in spite of and sometimes even because of this "crisis".
Now the content has evolved beyond COVID to conversations and stories about people's lives, paths, passions and sense of purpose. We are talking with leaders in the arts, humanities, community service and just plain great people and learning lessons from what they have to share. Some stories will be funny, some sad, some inspirational.
Please join me in the conversations!

Recent Episodes

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Senator Andrew Zwicker - "Our Physicist Senator: A Passion for Fusion, Fairness, Freedom, and a Better Future"
April 13, 2026

Senator Andrew Zwicker - "Our Physicist Senator: A Passion for Fusion, Fairness, Freedom, and a Better Future"

What an honor it was to host my state senator Andrew Zwicker for this episode. Knowing how jam-packed the senator’s schedule is (I see him attending community eventsand visiting constituents non-stop!) I was amazed that he found time for our conversation. I had always been proud to say my congressman was a rocket scientist, back when Rush Holt was the U.S. House Representative from New Jersey. And I can still brag on my local legislator because Andrew, too, is a physicist/rocket scientist! N
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Senator Andrew Zwicker - "Our Physicist-Senator: A Passion for Fusion, Fairness, Freedom and a Better Future"
April 13, 2026

Senator Andrew Zwicker - "Our Physicist-Senator: A Passion for Fusion, Fairness, Freedom and a Better Future"

What an honor it was to host my state senator Andrew Zwicker for this episode. Knowing how jam-packed the senator’s schedule is (I see him attending community events and visiting constituents non-stop!) I was amazed that he found time for our conversation. I had always been proud to say my congressman was a rocket scientist, back when Rush Holt was our U.S. House Representative for New Jersey. And I can still brag on my local legislator because Andrew, too, is a physicist/rocket scientist! N
Listen to the Episode
Altagracia Montilla - "Dreaming It Forward" - Creating Your Own Reality Through Visualization and Imagination
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March 29, 2026

Altagracia Montilla - "Dreaming It Forward" - Creating Your Own Reality Through Visualization and Imagination

Today I was thrilled to host my fellow YWCA Board member Altagracia Montilla. Observing Altagracia’s amazing inspirational and energetic positivity first hand as she shepherded the YWCA’s board and staff in team building and conflict resolution left me wanting to learn more about her. Where did this talent, well-honed skill set, and positive outlook come from? As it turns out, Altagracia’s renowned leadership in the fields of organizational facilitation, strategy development, leadership traini
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Pam Hersh - Connecting the Dots - A Seasoned Writer's Formula for Excellent Story-telling
Feb. 7, 2026

Pam Hersh - Connecting the Dots - A Seasoned Writer's Formula for Excellent Story-telling

My guest today will be very familiar to my Princeton audience. Pam Hersh is Jersey through and through and has been a part of the fabric of this town for over 50 years. She probably is best known for her writing, both for the Princeton Packet and now for TAPinto Princeton. Her column, Loose Ends, is essential reading for anyone wanting to feel truly connected to this town! But of course, there is much more to Pam than what we’ve grown to appreciate through her writing or her penchant for walk
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Hiram L. Smith, PhD - Part II - African American English: History, evolution, use/misuse
Dec. 17, 2025

Hiram L. Smith, PhD - Part II - African American English: History, evolution, use/misuse

Today we are once again talking with Hiram L. Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Bucknell University. My last podcast with Hiram felt like a cliffhanger…we barely scratched the surface of the language subject matter! Fortunately, Hiram was willing to come back for more. Before I get into the description however, I want to provide any potential listeners with a warning . We cover some aspects of language that some people may find triggering. In the latter part of our
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Hiram L. Smith, PhD - A Dichotomous Environment of Racism & Diversity: Surprisingly Fertile Ground for a Young Linguistic Scholar
July 27, 2025

Hiram L. Smith, PhD - A Dichotomous Environment of Racism & Diversity: Surprisingly Fertile Ground for a Young Linguistic Scholar

Today’s guest is Hiram L. Smith, PhD, Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Bucknell University. I met Hiram in a most unusual way (you’ll have to listen to hear the story) but I am so glad I did! Our conversation covered Hiram’s childhood and youth as a black boy/young man in racist Oklahoma. Some of his tales are hair-raising. But coming from a loving family with an emphasis on learning, and his being a smart kid, the groundwork was laid for a bright future. Turns out, it was a
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