Author Dan Valenti joins Cara & John Krol on The Blend Podcast to discuss a true labor of love and a book that is the result of work and interviews that spanned nearly four decades. The book reveals previously untold details of how iconic characters in Kubrick's masterpiece Full Metal Jacket were chosen and molded through the eyes of the actors who portrayed the epic roles.
UNVEILING THE TRUTH BEHIND AN ICONIC FILM-Step behind the curtain of one of cinema's most unforgettable films and performances.In Stanley Kubrick's Full Mental Straight Jacket, author Dan Valenti takes readers on an unprecedented journey into the making of a masterpiece. This revelatory work explores the genius, methods, and controversial practices that haveelevated Stanley Kubrick to legendary status among film directors.
THE UNTOLD STORY For decades, the full story of this film, notably the creation of Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann—one of cinema's most compelling, blistering, and quoted characters—remained shrouded in mystery. Until now.Drawing from exclusive interviews conducted over two years with actor Lee Ermey (Hartman) shortly after Full Metal Jacket was released, Valenti delivers insightsthat only a trusted confidant could access. From 2022 to 2024, Valenti also conducted over a dozen in-depth interviews with the film's supporting cast—including Tim Colceri, Kubrick’s original choice for Hartman. The unsparing probe uncovers the exhilarating but nightmarish realities of working in "Kubrick country.”
FROM THE AUTHOR WHO KNEW THE TRUTH As the collaborator on a novel screenplay project with Ermey himself, Valenti gained unprecedented access to fresh insights about Kubrick and the film that have never before been shared with the public. For film historians, Kubrick enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the dark corners of filmmaking, this book provides the definitive account of how one of cinema's most memorable characters came to life—and the personal cost.
Dan is an author whose books have made him a “six-decade man” — his titles have been published in the 1970s (1979), ’80s, ’90s, ’00s, tens (2010, 11), and 20s. He has written 25 books and edited eight more. His works have been widely quoted, cited, and anthologized. He has also written for the stage and for films.
It is an incredible challenge navigating the world of finances and services as our loved ones age. Deb Allen is one of the very best in the business in helping families manage through the challenges to understand how to provide the very best services for our aging parents, grandparents, other family, friends and loved ones. A registered nurse case manager, Deb is the admissions director of Mount Carmel Care Center, and has more than two decades working in all levels of care, including elder law. We encourage you to join the conversation during the live show to ask questions and share your own stories.Mount Carmel Care Center, Inc. is a member of the Carmelite System, exclusively comprised of nursing and rehabilitation, independent living and assisted living facilities that span the Northeast and the Midwest, as well as a facility in Dublin, Ireland.The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm is a Congregation founded in New York City by Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory and six companions on September 3, 1929. Mother Angeline recognized a great and growing need to provide care and comfort for the aging and infirm population in the United States. Acting in faith and with the assistance of Patrick Cardinal Hayes of New York, Mother Angeline made her vision a reality by establishing a new Congregation dedicated exclusively to the care and services of the elderly in the American tradition. In 1999, the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm formed a non-profit corporation known as The Carmelite System, Inc. in order to perpetuate the healing ministry of Christ in long-term health care. The Congregation also sponsors the Avila Institute of Gerontology, which provides ongoing education and study in the field of aging services.
Links: Mount Carmel Care Center
Cara Krol, Balance & Bliss Wellness
#medicare #longtermcare #shorttermrehab #understandingmedicare #seniorcare #financingseniorcare
The inspiration for The Enchanted Altar was born from a myriad of muses. Learn more about the journey when you take an in-person workshop or online class. The vibe is simple… creating and offering quality products and experiences for quality people who are looking to explore and evolve themselves.The Enchanted Altar is meant to empower and enhance the strength, beauty, and magic that already exists within you. Bringing the sacred lifestyle back to its roots… literally and figuratively through metaphysical products and experiences for the modern-day individual, fusing ancient wisdom with a new-age twist that helps bring your true self out of the shadows. Sharing and supporting Fair Trade, Female Owned, and BIPOC Businesses through awareness and education.A goal of The Enchanted Altar to source products near and far that are free from toxins + cruelty, work with suppliers that treat the materials with respect and honor, while inspiring organic, nature illuminated, peaceful living.
Nicole Irene is the owner of Enchanted Altar, as well as an artist and licensed teacher. She joins Cara & John Krol on the Blend Podcast to share the story of her venture, her passion for her work and this community.
Cara Krol is a life transition coach, Reiki Master, author, licensed teacher and owner of Balance & Bliss Wellness.John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media and has hosted and produced radio, television and podcast series' for more than two decades.
Shay Barnes is the owner of Hiking Hounds, a unique dog walking and hiking business, where she aims to connect with exceptional dog friends to share hiking experiences, promoting physical fitness and enjoyment. Their services are primarily concentrated in the Richmond area, with the flexibility to accommodate West Pittsfield and West Stockbridge, supplemented by pickup options if needed Shay started getting the bug when she was looking for somebody to let her dog out and was having a hard time, so she thought maybe she'll just do it herself!
Cara Krol is a life transition coach, Reiki Master, author, licensed teacher and owner of Balance & Bliss Wellness.
John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media, and has hosted and produced radio, television and podcast series' for more than two decades.
Making national news a couple decades ago, and being labeled the "baseball billionaire" is a legacy that many will remember former major leaguer Matt White for. But, it's the rest of the story that's even more intriguing and inspiring. Hitting rock bottom, going through bankruptcy, and being forced to sell the quarry that made him world-known, Matt has made a comeback inspired by his faith and family. Matt shares his story with Cara and John with raw honesty and humility. He has the quarry back through seemingly divine intervention, has a wonderful partner in his wife, Andrea, who are raising their young daughter in the Berkshires. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Matt White.
Cara Krol is the author of Fairy Slippers and Molly Saves the Bees: https://www.fairyslippers.info/books In addition to being an author, Cara is an energy healer and intuitive coach. Her website for her business Balance & Bliss Wellness is https://balanceandblisswellness.com John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media marketing agency: https://oneeightymedia.com/ a longtime radio/television and podcast host and producer.
Matt White's links:
website: https://mwbbillionaire.webflow.io/
Swift River Stone: https://www.swiftriverstone.com/
We welcome Jerrid Burdick - the founder of the Berkshire Wedding Expo. The Expo is January 25 & 26 at the Stationary Factory in Dalton, Mass. Register by logging onto theberkshireweddingexpo.com. Win over $12,000 in wedding service giveaways. Additional cash prizes of $1000 toward your wedding, plus $500 toward any event.The Berkshire Wedding Expo represents OVER 130 Berkshire County wedding professionals who are all eager to help you make your wedding day one of the most amazing days in your life! Some of our professionals have been in business for MANY years and others are still gaining experience but offer unbelievable talents and ideas!
Nadia Milleron is a powerful independent voice who has earned hard fought wins in Washington and elsewhere holding Boeing accountable after her daughter Samya was killed in one of the tragic crashes of the Boeing 737. She is now running as an underdog to the powerful Richard Neal, the epitome of the political establishment in western Massachusetts and DC. Recently bolstered by a powerful piece in the New York Times, Nadia's campaign has been inspiring people across the district, and hell, maybe she has a puncher's chance in this David vs. Goliath contest. Nadia challenges Neal on his lack of accessibility to the district, his campaign finance practices and how he spends his campaign money, not following through on securing social security reform, not holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for price gouging and more. Nadia is focused on making change that will bring more badly needed physicians to Western Massachusetts communities, addressing runaway grocery and gas prices from greed-flation and spending more tax dollars in our nation, rather than on international excursions. It is an epic tale of a mother fighting for change so no other family has to face the tragedies brought upon by defective Boeing planes. Featured recently in an brilliant piece in the New York Times, Nadia is an inspiration and has shown unending tenacity to hold Boeing accountable in seeking justice. In 2019, Nadia’s daughter was a passenger on a Boeing 737 MAX that crashed in Ethiopia killing all on board. After 2 deadly crashes, instead of taking Boeing’s and the FAA’s word that nothing was wrong and a crash would not happen again, Nadia got involved to hold all involved groups accountable. Nadia went to Washington and helped lead the unanimous passage of the national bi-partisan Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act in 2020 which directed US aircraft and aerospace industry manufacturers to adopt, enforce, and regulate compliance procedures to ensure planes met the proper criteria and specifications before they are commissioned for use. She didn’t stop there. Nadia then went to Boeing’s home in Illinois and spearheaded the overthrow of a state law that protected big corporations over victims. Nadia met with legislators and stakeholders to fix a flawed law that allowed negligent and reckless corporations to get away with murder and not be held responsible. Nadia has never shied away from standing up for everyday people. She began her career practicing law helping children who were facing neglect and abuse. For 5 years, she took cases from the bench and advocated on the child’s behalf in cases of contested divorces, lack of child support, or crime. She also represented people in the state mental hospital in probate court proceedings. As a pro bono volunteer attorney, she worked with patients who had been subjected to dehumanizing conditions and a legal system that was violating their rights.
Health New England Medicare Plan Specialist Lee Jaggi joins us to cover all the basics of Medicare, as those eligible head into open enrollment October 15 to December 7. He covers the difference between Medicare Part A & B, penalties for not signing up for Medicare in some circumstances, fewer private providers in the Berkshires and Western Mass for Medicare products, meaning a number of people will need to switch providers, Medicare Advantage Plans, supplemental plans and more. Lee also covers Point32Health's acquisition of Health New England and HNE's commitment to the community, his incredible involvement in the community, including the amazing cornhole program in all the Berkshire senior centers that Lee spearheaded with the support of Health New England and more! Lee can be reached at 413-233-3341 and email at rjaggi@hne.com. There are a number of upcoming Medicare meetings in Western Mass and in the Berkshires, click on this link: https://www.healthnewengland.org/medicare/session#!/ to get a complete list! **Lee Jaggi is a Licensed Medicare Plan Specialist for Health New England. Lee joined Health New England in 2012, and is the dedicated Medicare representative in Berkshire County. Cara Krol is a holistic energy healer and certified life coach. Her website for her business Balance & Bliss Wellness is https://balanceandblisswellness.com Cara is also the author of Fairy Slippers and Molly Saves the Bees: https://www.fairyslippers.info/books John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media marketing agency: https://oneeightymedia.com/ a longtime radio/television and podcast host and producer.
Sufani Garza joins The Blend with Cara & John Krol for a conversation on her journey into the healing arts, finding Reiki as a way to find peace from stress and her migraine headaches, her journey from student to trainer - with nearly 60,000 enrollments worldwide through her online courses on Udemy.
Sufani Garza is the Director and Founder of Place of Bliss Academy. She’s a practitioner in many healing therapies such as Alternative Healing, Reiki, Channeling, Spiritual Counseling, Soul Care Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Positive Psychology, Shamanism, Guided Image Therapy and many more esoteric practices in cultural studies.
She has owned place of Bliss Academy & Sanctuary for over twenty years teaching live classes, trainings and certifications, and in 2020 converted to the online platform called UDEMY, to reach a global audience. Since that time, she has published over 50 courses, gained over 36K students, with over 59K enrollments, is in 172 countries and 46 languages. She has over 10K reviews ranging on average from 4.7-4.8.
Her unique style of teaching is the shamans way, teaching through storytelling and sharing. Her courses range from Alternative healing, counseling and psychology, writing, marketing, channeling, vodou, witchcraft, meditation, self-love, emotional intelligence, communication, and more.
She is also a published author. In her publishing career, she has been published both traditionally through Austin Macauley Publisher and has self-published many titles. She was a columnist for The Reiki Times (IARP, Dear Reiki) and has been published in many magazines over the years on the topics of healing. She is an avid Horror reader and has published a horror/Thriller series called 1377 Rikoppe Lane, with book 1 & 2 written, and book 3 is on the way! She blends healing and horror in her own prolific style in every single book. She publishes under Sufani Weisman-Garza.
She has three grown children, a husband of 20 years, and is the guardian of two adorable cats.
Links:
Udemy page: www.udemy.com/user/sufani-garza/
Website: https://www.placeofblissacademy.com/
Cara Krol's Balance & Bliss Wellness website: balanceandblisswellness.com/
A woman not afraid to dream and capture the greatness life has to offer! Authentic Creative Warrior - that's Nakeida and we catchup on her passion, her spiritual path, and lifting up others. Nakeida serves as a pastor for Hood Shaw Memorial AME Zion Church in Providence, RI, and is a motivational speaker who effectively utilizes social media to deliver her message. During the pandemic, Motivational Mondays and live sermons on social media was how she reached her congregation and followers. Today, Nakeida is back in person at the church and was in-person in the TJKP studio!
It has been a passion of hers since she was a just a little girl, providing exceptional care for the most vulnerable. Also, she was raised well by her mother who was a nurse, as Renee is today. Starting as a certified nursing assistant, then becoming an LPN and then a registered nurse (RN), Renee brings a certain perspective and an innovative approach to leading her private pay home care agency, Whole Heart Homecare. In fact, in an effort to build a strong foundation and reputation in the community, she pays her caregivers more than most agencies. The hourly rate is also a bit lower than many other agencies. What this means is that she earns a lower profit margin per patient/client as the business owner. But, for Renee, it's worth it to make sure she has the best people working and becoming loyal to her agency, believing this will lead to the highest level of care for patients- which is the most important goal. In this episode, we cover Renee's professional evolution, decision to start an agency, being a young entrepreneur, her philosophy on providing great care, growing her business slowly and with intention, and more.
We hope you enjoy John and Cara's conversation with Renee Saville, owner of Whole Heart Homecare.
Persevering against all odds, and transforming through the experience is the stuff of inspiration, and makes for great stories to tell. It's the premise behind Deserts to Mountaintops, which chronicles the journey of extraordinary women overcoming monumental challenges. It's the creation of Jessica Buchanan, the woman who made headlines worldwide for her strength and tenacity, surviving a kidnapping by gunpoint by Somali pirates, being held for ransom for 93 days, forced to live outside in deplorable conditions, starved and terrorized, she was finally saved by SEAL Team VI in early 2012.
After telling her own story in a book, she moved on to creating a platform to tell the stories of other women. Audrey Casey-Herrick and Wendy Casey (sisters) and their aunt Mary Casey-Bowers wrote their own story in the first volume of the series.
Stacia Bissell's life was transformed on a fateful day when she flipped from her bicycle and woke up hours later in her bed, asking countless times why there was a cast on her arm. The journey has been long and winding, and has ultimately led Stacia to step forward in her greater purpose to inspire and enlighten the world through her own story.
About Audrey Casey-Herrick and Wendy Casey and their aunt Mary Casey-Bowers (The Mystic Chics):
We are modern day medicine women who bring a unique blend of solace and empowerment to any event with their energy healing, music, movement, and sacred ceremony. Whether it is 3 minutes or 3 hours, these intuitive women will help you feel into your own body and energy field to clear blocks and activate your true power.
About Stacia Bissell
After her world was turned upside down, she learned to navigate a new way of making strides in healing. With encouragement from her medical team, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts (BIA-MA), friends and family, she began doing speaking engagements to various audiences on the topic of brain injury. In addition to co-authoring Deserts to Mountaintops; Choosing our Healing through Radical Self-Acceptance, she is a contributor to Brain Injury HOPE magazine, a member of the Brain Injury Association of America's Brain Injury Advisory Council, council member for the Brain InInjury Alliance of Vermont, a program leader for LoveYourBrain, and a member of the BIA-USA speaker's bureau. Stacia co-founded the BIA-MA Northampton Brain Injury Support Group and the Berkshire Brain Injury Collaborative, designed to provide professional development to teachers on return-to-learn strategies after a student suffers from a concussion.
This episode ranges the full blend, dating, the challenge of aging parents and grandparents, the loneliness of caregivers, getting the heave-ho from your friend group once you have kids, the revival of live music in venues throughout the region, Andrew's dream job at MTV back in the late eighties and early nineties working with Kurt Loder, and the likes of the Backstreet Boys, the Real World and more. Andrew is a lover of life and we love him!
Cara Krol is the author of Fairy Slippers and Molly Saves the Bees: https://www.fairyslippers.info/booksIn addition to being an author, Cara is an energy healer and intuitive coach. Her website for her business Balance & Bliss Wellness is https://balanceandblisswellness.comJohn Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media marketing agency: https://oneeightymedia.com/a longtime radio/television and podcast host and producer. John and Cara are raising a family of five kiddos between the ages of 8 and 15, making it all work!
Everything from the media landscape in a small New England county, death by chocolate specialty bread to thinking more broadly as to who is a leader. Here is the audio-only version of a wide ranging conversation generated from the original live show. If you know anything about shocking a river or a lake to manage fish, don't touch that water while it's happening - Mike learned that lesson at a very young age. His days beside his father in the wilderness set the stage for a successful wildlife photography side gig that has gotten him published countless times. His show has been a catalyst for raising awareness and pushing change in the community - badly needed in a day when traditional media have consolidated so severely and the tolerance for opposing opinions and views has become virtually non-existent. Always fun to catch up with Mike!
Cara Krol is the author of Fairy Slippers and Molly Saves the Bees: https://www.fairyslippers.info/books In addition to being an author, Cara is an energy healer and intuitive coach. Her website for her business Balance & Bliss Wellness is https://balanceandblisswellness.com John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media marketing agency: https://oneeightymedia.com/ a longtime radio/television and podcast host and producer. John and Cara are raising a family of five kiddos between the ages of 8 and 15, making it all work!
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Andrew & Rachael founded RopaNa Wellness seven years ago driven by Rachael's health issues that traditional Western medicine, one pharmaceutical after another, could not address. In fact, she worked at a hospital and, suffered from severe pain, insomnia and other symptoms that made life almost unbearable. Hemp was the solution that changed her life, and their journey began to help countless others find similar, life-changing, results. RopaNa comes from the ancient Sanskrit language meaning “to heal oneself”. Our philosophy is built on the need for knowledge, quality and transparency in the CBD Hemp Industry. We are here to bring you the absolute finest Vermont CBD products at compassionate prices including THC- Free and Full Spectrum options. We care about the environment as much as we do our wellness because the environment is responsible for the wellness of everyone. Our business practices reflect this by minimizing packaging and utilizing solar power. We make the commitment to use recycled, biodegradable or re-useable materials and use all natural, non toxic cleaning products in our facility.
Cara and John go back on their original messages on Facebook when their relationship began in the middle of the COVID lockdown, Tinder is still the "gold standard" of dating apps - says Marc - even if no one wants to admit it, Cara shares a date gone all wrong in her short stint in adventures of online dating. Marc shares anecdotes on a boudoir shoot that has still never happened after five years, his work in editorial including a shoot being picked up by Playboy.com. We also learn about how you always need someone to be ready to deliver the "emergency" call if the first date from an online dating app becomes a train wreck!
Water is everything. It touches every bit of our lives and our communities, in our physical and mental health, recreation and our economy. Leslie Gabriel's connection with water became clear at a very young age and then evolved over time, ever reimagining the relationship at every turn. His professional life led him to water, creating a successful business with water testing and filtration systems. Today, he wants our region to celebrate and maximize the potential of water as an asset for residents and tourists, alike. The concept of "blue spaces" which has been successfully implemented in many other communities across the country, has immense potential for health benefits, recreational opportunities, tourist attractions. In this episode we also cover the healing properties of water, Leslie's work in the water industry, why the bottled water industry is a bit of a "scam," the hospitality industry's push for toxic-free waterways, Leslie's podcast And So It Flows, and much more.
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Leslie is an H2O activist, author, content producer, event producer, podcaster, water enthusiast, marketing maven, ambassador for water and public speaker about the pressing need of water sustainability and the need to transform our relationship to water to a state of love and respect. After beating lifelong chronic skin rashes and other ailments, by simply using pure water to detox my body and mind, I am a passionate believer in the power of water. A majority of my time is spent on what he considers the most important movement of modern times, The Water Sustainability Movement. Leslie Gabriel is also proud father of, who he calls, his "Not So Little People" - Kyla Elianna Gabriel (29) and Jeremiah Noah Gabriel (25). I am also a distance runner, hiker, skier, kayaker, camper, traveler and dancer.
Cara and John roll-out their online sales training program and philosophy behind it, what happens with the diamond engagement ring when a married couple splits (they have experience), ways that small businesses can expand their markets by using online tools. John and Cara have a solution for that, and we look forward to demystifying it and helping people begin an exciting new journey in online sales. Cara Krol is the author of Fairy Slippers and Molly Saves the Bees: https://www.fairyslippers.info/books In addition to being an author, Cara is an energy healer and intuitive coach. Her website for her business Balance & Bliss Wellness is https://balanceandblisswellness.com John Krol is a consultant, digital marketing expert and the owner of One Eighty Media marketing agency: https://oneeightymedia.com/ a longtime radio/television and podcast host and producer.
John and Cara are raising a family of five kiddos between the ages of 8 and 15, making it all work!
Dorothy's Estaminet is the new hotspot in the downtown, drawing off the tradition of the former Mission Bar & Tapas and the living room of the region, Dottie's Coffee Lounge. Jess Rufo explains the concept of the "estaminet" which is a place for adult beverages but has a bit of a "shabby" fun vibe. That's perfect, and it's already become a hub for incredible live music, residencies with the likes of Gina Coleman and Misty Blues. Jess covers her own growth and change since the early days of starting Dottie's, and how that has impacted her management style. It's an open, honest, authentic conversation about family, life and running a business based on your passion. Cara Krol is the wonderful author of the book, Fairy Slippers and the sequel, Molly Saves the Bees: https://www.fairyslippers.info/books In addition to being an author, Cara is an energy healer and intuitive coach, and owner of Balance & Bliss Wellness, located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Her website for her business Balance & Bliss Wellness is https://balanceandblisswellness.com John Krol is the owner of One Eighty Media marketing agency, with expertise in building websites with top-notch SEO, digital marketing and online sales, branding, design and strategic marketing consulting. https://oneeightymedia.com/ a longtime radio/television and podcast host and producer. John and Cara are raising a family of five kiddos between the ages of 8 and 15, making it all work!
It's a seismic shift that has the potential to fundamentally change the way we approach not only pediatric dental care, but total health for our children. Airway-centric dentistry focuses on the root causes and can address the underlying issues that lead to sleep apnea, snoring, sleep deprivation, and yes, cavities and tooth decay. Driven first by her intuition as a mother to children with chronic health issues, Dr. Lauren Ballinger, who is a board-certified pediatric dentist, was not satisfied by the traditional Western medicine options of addressing the symptoms. She knew there was a better way, and there was no going back. Dr. Lauren experienced what she describes as her "breakthrough," leaving her family's practice to take a great leap on a new venture: Good To Grow Airway Pediatric Dentistry. The approach is leading to excellent health outcomes for patients and she hopes the health and dental establishment will take the steps to support the growth of airway-centric dentistry within the dental community. In this episode we also cover: the fundamentals of the airway approach compared to the a symptom-based (tooth-focused) approach, the importance of breathing through the nose rather than the mouth, the importance for deep sleep for children and brain growth, the concept of increasing the boney border of an airway, the American Dental Association (ADA) gradually warming up to airway-centered dentistry, Dr. Lauren essentially reinventing her career at a time when many are considering their path to retirement, relearning from Native American traditions from the 18th century to improve airway health for children, and following her mission to truly help people the best way she knows how. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Lauren Ballinger, DDS, CSOM (certified specialist in orafacial myology).
Book references in this interview:
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Shut Your Mouth and Save Your Life by George Catlin
Dr. Lauren Ballinger is a Board Certified pediatric dentist who, after 15 years at her family’s traditional pediatric dental practice, left to open her own practice to help prevent children's suffering - before it happens. Good to Grow Airway Centric Pediatric Dentistry and Frenectomy Center is a sanctuary for families everywhere. Good to Grow is completely devoted to proper airway and dental wellness, the prevention of disease, and true collaborative care amongst the childrens’ doctors and family.
