That Wasn‘t Supposed to Happen

”I Tried to Make Them Comfortable”: Inside the ICU, with Nurse Rich

This week local ICU nurse Rich and I talked chaos, COVID units, quarantined hallways, altered care, mental burnout, resource depletion, and (somehow) persistence.

Though nursing wasn’t Rich’s first choice, surviving the frontlines of a pandemic has made it his most important one. I get the feeling he doesn’t choose nursing despite all he’s seen, rather he soldiers on because of it.

 

There is little I can add to Rich’s story. There is, however, so much to learn from it.

Thank you to those, specifically, that cared for our most vulnerable patients during the last two years, and always.

Get Your Tripods Outta Here -with Jeff Bisti

For this week’s episode I’m joined by friend and noted photographer, Jeff Bisti. Lovingly known as “that photo booth guy,” Jeff captured some of the most precious memories at some of the most seminal parties throughout Kingston, NY. Though his tale begins at a wedding gone awry, Jeff and I leave on a love song to BSP, to Kingston, to the good ole days.

If ever you’ve done gig work, this episode is for you. If ever you’ve worked in the service of people’s most important days, this episode is for you. If you love stories you cannot believe—but need to wean off the murder pods for a bit—this episode is for you!

Special thanks to all the people that made Back Stage Productions (BSP) everything it was. And a special reminder—to all—that live music, events, artistic spaces are what make a city like Kingston great (not whatever the McHigh-rise is happening now!).

Don’t You Have That Under Control By Now -with Fiona McKenna

For today’s episode I spoke with Fiona McKenna, a dear friend, an accomplished teacher, a Type1 diabetic, and a child of the Girl Power 90’s. Which mixed swimmingly with her headstrong tendencies. Until it didn’t.

From learning to inject her own insulin at the age of 6, to navigating coaches, teachers and friends that didn’t understand her illness, Fiona fought hard to not be defined by her diabetes. Until she didn’t.

Join us for a story about growth and surrender at a moment when those reactions seem impossible. Stay for the ways we can all relate. Even if you think you wouldn’t.

There’s No Place Like Home and Garden Television--with Jean Michel

For our inaugural episode I sat down with Jean Michel, owner of Megabrain Comics, in Rhinebeck, NY. Jean's story winds as long and as interrupted as the proverbial yellow brick road, nevertheless he, too, finds the way home.

We travel through the towns and relationships he bounced in and out of, when--as he puts it--life happened to him. Fate intervenes and a chance encounter at a temp job leads Jean to owning a business. Naturally.

Come for the hope of finding one's way after losing it. Stay for the fact Jeffrey Dean and Hilarie Burton Morgan have something to do with all of this

TRAILER

Coming January 24th, a new podcast about life stories...the kinds that go off script. Join host Heather Dell'Amore as she chats with guests about the time things happened that weren't supposed to.