Meet April Macak and her son Nathan. Nathan is a very active, energetic, and loving 8-year-old boy who loves to play basketball with his cousins every chance he gets. His mom April talks with us about the importance of blood donations, you see without blood donations Nathan wouldn’t be here. Nathan has a rare blood genetic disorder requiring him to have monthly blood transfusions for the rest of his life. April is an active mother and a spoke person for Vitalant, about the importance of your blood donations and how it truly saves lives.
Studio Sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group
Your global creative agency, based in downtown Chandler, Arizona
Meet Mia Johnson, she openly shares the details and journey of her life having been born to a drug-addicted and alcoholic mother, placed in foster care with her brother at 1 1/2 yrs old, lived in numerous foster homes, sexually abused by her brother and her brother-in-law, became a juvenile delinquent, running away, did drugs, homeless at 16 and was looking for love in all the wrong places, until one day she decided to go to Job Corp and change her life. Her story is one of resilience overcoming the hardships and the hand dealt to her by turning her pain into power!
Let’s talk mental health. With so many things that have changed in our society in the past couple of years, we need to talk about it and help individuals, parents, and our communities. Meet Dr. Paula McCall the founder of the Arizona 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Semicolon Society. Mission: Semicolon Society provides free mental health education and events to the community, with an emphasis on. Suicide prevention and support. https://semicolonsociety.org/
Early morning in December 2018, Julie’s mom Darleen, was in a house fire that burned 83% of her body with 2nd & 3rd-degree burns. Unfortunately, after 106 days and 24 surgeries later, Darleen unfortunately passed away due to a blood infection on March 31st, 2019. Julie found a way to help people who have been changed by the fire with her organization. Not just the survivors but the caregivers too. Her programs include assistance with mental health challenges, depression, anxiety, PTSD, body image struggles, insomnia, and so much more. www.ChangedByFire.org Studio Sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group, a global creative agency based in downtown Chandler, Arizona
Meet Scott Stowers, he is a member of the Board of Directors with Arizona Adaptive Water Sports an Arizona 501(c)(3), as well as the volunteer coordinator and has been volunteering with AZ Adaptive Water Sports for 19 years. Vision: For anyone with a disability to have access to get on the water and embrace the freedom and adventures that await. A Faith-based organization that serves in the healing ministry of Christ. Studio: The Motivated Mind Group, your global creative agency based in downtown Chandler, Az. AzAdaptiveWaterSports.org
Imagine being told your son has a 10% chance of survival and if he does he will never function on his own.
Meet Daniel Fulton and his mom Kathy Fulton. Daniel is a TBI survivor and his mother is his caregiver. Daniel survived a tragic impact when he hit a tree on his snowboard. His journey to recovery was long and not easy. He was in a coma for a month and a half, in hospital for 3 months, and many days in therapy to learn how to walk, talk, swallow, and function again.
Living life to the fullest and with determination.
Studio Sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group, your global creative agency based in downtown Chandler, AZ
"Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24". Meet Francine, she is the founder of an Arizona 501(c)(3) non-profit that is more than a resource for mental illness. Francine is an advocate and a voice for all walks of life, because of the legacy she carries on through her son Zack. Francine’s life suddenly changed when her son Zack was misdiagnosed and unfortunately passed away at the age of 16. His kind heart, entrepreneurial mindset, and love for animals and people keep Francine’s heart comforted as she helps others who struggle with mental illness. Studio Sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group, your global creative agency based in downtown Chandler, AZ
Meet Erin Powell, she is a survivor of 6 spinal tumors, and a brain tumor and has lost over 125 pounds. Her journey leads her down a dark path of depression and overeating getting to the weight of 298 pounds. Studio Sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group
Your global creative agency is based in downtown Chandler, AZ.
DAVID’S ROCKS Random Acts of Kindness
Meet Jodi Walton, tragically she lost her son David on July 25th, 2019 while working for the DOT in Horry S.C. David was filling a pothole with his coworker when a box truck came through unable to stop, hitting the stopped cars, injuring several, and unfortunately killing Jodi’s son and his coworker. Jodi found therapy and healing by painting rocks with messages and words of love, hope, and designs of comfort.
Today her rocks are found all over the globe because people have placed her rocks of comfort and healing along their travels. She also recently teamed up with the Ronald McDonald House Charites providing hope rocks to families.
Meet, Jax and her mother Angel Vargas Fuchs, (Girl With a Curve).
The journey of living with Scoliosis Jax is a very active, positive, and outgoing 10-year-old, a passionate performer, dancer, community actress, and award-winning vocalist. The day before Thanksgiving 2022, Jax was officially diagnosed with Scoliosis.
Follow Jax’s journey on Instagram: @girl_with_a_curve
In October 2022, at the Show Low Film Festival and at the January 2023 Chandler International Film Festival I had the privilege of meeting Director Tony Sylvia, his wife, Producer Frances Cecilia, and Elena Zajac.
Together they made the documentary, "The Monster Inside Me". A documentary about two families from two different parts of the continent on a journey having Lyme Disease, the misdiagnosis, trials, and struggles of understanding and getting on a healing journey.
To learn more visit:
http://www.themonsterinsideme.com
Studio Sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group (Your global creative agency based in downtown Chandler, AZ)
“Serving Those Who Served” Meet Jennifer Z Gewarges, the Executive Director for U.S. Vets -Phoenix (United States Veterans Initiative), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization helping our veterans get back on their feet in the safe place they call home.
US Vets-Phoenix provides multiple programs helping our veterans with education, job training/placement, learning basic survival skills, helping assist in identifying their personal triggers, PTSD, sexual trauma, and more.
www.usvets.org/phoenix
Email: Jgewarges@usvets.org
Studio sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group
Your local global creative agency based in downtown Chandler, Az
Meet Victor Jakpor, the executive director and founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Mission Africa Project.
Victor grew up in a small town called Sapele in Nigeria. Education, clean running water, and textbooks for school are a challenge for the children to attend school. Victor Jakpor found a way to help with these needs by founding Mission Africa Project.
Mission: To empower people and transform communities.
Contact: jakpor2020@gmail.com MissionAfricaProject.com
Meet Ashlee and Michael Cramer, son/mother podcasters who talk about Cancer.
Michael is a 21-year-old cancer survivor, bone marrow transplant recipient, social media influencer, and motivational hero who was diagnosed with an insanely rare and aggressive cancer, Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. There are only 200 cases documented and Michael has beat the odds.
This duo talks about cancer and shares his journey of recovery on a level that will make you laugh, smile, and be inspired!
Follow on Instagram: MichaelReidCramer
Ashlee_cramer
Meet Kiamesha Guy a US Veteran and founder of Quiet Waters -Global Maternal Wellness Center in Chandler, Az. A 501(c)3.
Mission: Support & provide Veteran families with funding for Maternal and Women’s healthcare & benefits; host family activities for disabled & non-disabled women veterans & active duty women of the United States Armed Forces and their dependents. 
Contact@GlobalMaternalWellness.org
Meet Herbert Washington who is with the Phoenix Boys Choir. Herbert opens up about his childhood and how his life changed in a way he couldn't imagine being the path of his destiny and his childhood dream.
Herbert's childhood wasn’t ideal from a child’s eyes. He never met his father or older brother. His mother had schizophrenia. At 7, he was taken out of South Phoenix by child welfare services and sent to live in foster care for several months before living with his aunt, uncle, and cousin in Tempe. It wasn’t ideal yet again and his life rapidly changed yet again when he was kicked out at 14 and taken into the home of a friend's family and found his security and felt safe to be different in chasing a dream and talent with his gift of singing and performing.
Contact: Herbert.Washington@BoysChoir.org
“Beauty is only skin deep” Stories of Hope behind the scenes.
Meet Tamara (aka Tami) Chmielewski, a short two-day weekend getaway turned into 63 days in the hospital, most of which were in the ICU Burn Unit. Returning home to Arizona on the 64th day. Her body was burned at 38% with 3rd degree burns from her chest down to her feet.
5 months later, hour by hour, day by day Tamara battles to get back to where she once was and has accepted this is her new norm. She is a beautiful person inside and out and in this interview, she talks about the truths she faces every day but also the blessings she receives.
You can follow her journey of recovery on Instagram at TamiChm. Very inspiring!
Thank you Tamara for trusting me with being vulnerable to sharing your journey.
Kerry Schulman, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona.
Kerry talks about the programs, and families share a couple of stories to give a better understanding of what families experience while staying at the Ronald McDonald House, as well talks about how the staff and medical teams and other community collaborations make the experience a comforting and safe one for the families without worry.
She says they don’t say no, but rather “Let’s figure this out”.
Mission Statement: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona is a welcoming “home away from home “ for families with children facing medical challenges, providing an atmosphere of comfort, Hope, and courage.
Dalea Faulkner and Martina Webster, both are producers of Hashtag Blessed the movie, and Dalea is the writer. Hashtag Blessed was based on Dalea’s personal transformation from a time when she was feeling lost, depressed, and having suicidal thoughts.
Hashtag Blessed the movie is only one of many comforting, loving, and inspirational ways this amazing mother/daughter duo helps bring joy to others no matter the struggles anyone has.
For more details on where to get your copy of The Christmas Witch & Hashtag Blessed or learn more about upcoming movies, blogs, and more, please reach out to these ladies.
Business Sponsor: Gleason Roofing
A family-owned and operated business with more than 15 years of experience. Brian Gleason
Studio Sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group
A global creative agency located in downtown, Chandler Az
After learning that the shortcomings of the 911 system may have cost her husband Bob's life on the day he collapsed and died of a heart attack, Sherry Herzing vowed to make a difference. Dedicating herself to protecting others in rural communities from the risks that contributed to her husband's death, Sherry founded the Lake Gaston 911 Community Task Force in January 2019, rallied a strong force of volunteers, and quickly spread potentially lifesaving information throughout the community.
Studio sponsor: The Motivated Mind Group, a global creative agency located in downtown Chandler, AZ
https://themotivatedmindgroup.com/
Business sponsor: RENCO roofing, a family-owned and operated company founded in 2004 on the guiding principle of delivering superior roofing service. They are dedicated to quality and customer service and can help you with residential and commercial roofing needs, with a focus on HOA and Mulit-housing.
Brandi@RENCOroofing.com offrice 602-867-9386
