Read My Lips – Cool Conversations with Creatives

akaRadioRed welcomes three resilient creatives. Sonny Blaze®, a former 4th generation sheep shearer, is an award-winning bespoke jewelry designer, gemologist and the creator of CODA, the first interchangeable jeweled faceplate for in-ear monitors fory top-tier performing artists. Elizabeth Pizzarello, a former university professor who lost her sight at 38, is the author of “Eclipsed: My Journey into Blindness and the Miraculous Surgery That Restored My Sight Decades Later”. She is writing a collection of children’s stories on compassion and resilience. Beth Dessen Duffy, a former utilities public affairs representative and lobbyist, wrote “The Christmas Tree That Changed The World” and a companion app, based on her family’s tradition of decorating paper trees with paper ornaments earned by acts of kindness. Join akaRadioRed for Career-Shifting Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three bold creatives. Jerry Bennett is a full-time comic book artist, illustrator and art director who has created licensed art for Lucasfilm and Marvel, and storyboards for Mattel and Dreamworks. He has illustrated and produced animated book trailers for Scholastic and Lerner Children’s Books. Nancy Rugart Plummer is a multiple-cancer survivor who, with her son Robert, co-founded Becoming the Best U, a coaching and speaking company to help patients, caregivers, and survivors. She is a Wellness & Relationship coach, author, and columnist. Robert Rugart left a hedge fund options trader job to co-write the book Becoming the Best U – The Lessons Cancer Taught Me with his mom. He snuck a full-size electric piano into her hospital room to play classic rock, Disney songs, and show tunes for her ward. Join akaRadioRed for Illustrating Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three prolific creatives. Veronica Karaman, 8-time best-selling author and high-performance coach for athletes and achievers, is a Women’s US Open golf pro who taught her 85-year-old mother to play golf. Lorri Lockyer is a women’s wellness expert, nutritional biochemist, certified essential oil specialist, published author and competitive bodybuilder. Katie Marie, the author of a young adult fantasy novel and an Eric Hoffer Award finalist horror novella, is researching disability representation in the horror genre for her PhD. Join akaRadioRed for Driven Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three on-the-go Creatives. Fern Brady, a former foreign correspondent, is a prolific novelist, children’s book author and poet, as well as a publisher, teacher, and head of the Houston Writers Guild. Linda J. Cronin, who holds degrees in Physiological Psychology and Civil/Environmental Engineering, wrote the children’s book, Positopia World – The Hidden Portal, creates therapeutic games and toys for children, and started the non-profit Help Children Heal. Tonya Comer, author of In High Heels on a Ladder: The 7 Power Tools for Designing Your Life, left a career in broadcasting to become an award-winning interior designer and licenses her home furnishings products for sale worldwide. Join akaRadioRed for Creativity by Design!

akaRadioRed welcomes three non-stop Creatives. Steven Long is the publisher of 12 Willows Press, an environmental book publisher of fiction and nonfiction, crafting literature that grapples with environmental challenges while fostering optimism for a readership ranging from toddlers to seniors. Dr. Julie Burke, after working almost 20 years at the US Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Examiner, Quality Assurance Specialist and ‘constant thorn in management’s side,’ founded her consulting company, IP Quality Pro LLC. Beverly Smirnis started her PR agency with the Canadian wine industry as her client, worked in magazine publishing, and is now an author, blogger, and host of the People Pursuing Passions podcast. Join akaRadioRed for Serious Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three dedicated Creatives. Cheryl Peyton has authored 12 books, including the thriller Six Minutes to Midnight and a 7-book mystery series a la Agatha Christie. She is a painter and the President of the Authors Guild of Tennessee. Christine Macdonald wrote her memoir, Face Value: From Working The Pole to Baring My Soul, to help young women with self-esteem issues embrace what they consider their flaws. Ann Maria Hester, MD, a board-certified internist, wrote Patient Empowerment 101: More than a book, it's an adventure! and created the patientworld.net on-demand health and wellness course platform. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Conscientious Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three dedicated Creatives. Mariann Aalda was one of the first African-American daytime soap opera heroines, starring as criminal attorney DiDi Bannister on ABC’s The Edge Of Night. Today, she’s “prosecuting ageism” with her TEDx Talk, ‘Ageism Is A Bully…Stand Up To It!” and as an AARP Age Disruptor. Dr. Danita Johnson is CEO for Edgewater Health and the author of The Women’s Little Purple Book for Leadership and The Unapologetic Woman. She has completed six marathons and is a porcelain doll artist and doll collector. Archana Reddy is an intuitive transformational facilitator and the founder of Embody Your Mastery TM, a program she created after decades of inner work on the spiritual and corporate path. Her poetry and artwork are an expression of her unique path. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Ageless Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three challenge-driven Creatives. Pamela Jane Nye, Owner and CEO of the non-profit Neuroscience Nursing, Limited, and Operation Scrubs, Inc., teaches at the UCLA School of Nursing’s Nurse Practitioner / Clinical Nurse Specialist program and collaborates with the American Nurses Association Enterprise Innovation program. Chuck Foster, a former LA cop, TV and radio broadcaster, and the founder of TFP Entertainment, has 3+ decades of talent representation and unique special event marketing. His post-retirement challenge: Pamela Nye’s The Nurses’ Wall honoring the world’s 20M+ unsung hero nurses. Yasmin Nguyen, author of The Game of Joy: The Secret to Creating Your Own Happiness (Even When Life is Stress), drove across America on an 18-month, 21,000 mile road trip as a Joy Ambassador and created the Joyful Living Project. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: The Joys of Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three hardworking Creatives. Judi Thietten is an acrylic abstract artist, business owner, USA Pickleball Ambassador and Certified coach, vocalist, organist, pianist, song and lyric writer, and the author of “Grave State of Affairs – From Epitaphs to Belly Laughs.” Charmin Moore is a Registered Nurse and Hero Award winner, the founder of the Global Coaching Institute, author of “Lessons of a Life Coach” and creator of The Abundance Quest online course. Beverly A. Williams is a Partner in a global law firm, a podcaster, and the author of the book, “Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job” and the article, “Where I Come From, Women Don’t Sit at the Head of the Table.” Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Working Your Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three family-centric Creatives. Mark Steven Porro has appeared in television, film, and stage, written screenplays and a short film, and started five non-profits. He is the author of A Cup of Tea on the Commode, a memoir about his mother’s last years. Dana Killion left her career in the apparel industry and reinvented herself as the author of a mystery series featuring a female investigative journalist. She is also an artist who incorporates hidden words into her abstract paintings. Andrew Culkin, author of AMANDA – A Cautionary Tale and creator of a coaching program for families with an addict or alcoholic, is back to talk about his “mantique” shadow boxes made with 19th century wooden cigar presses and artifacts commemorating his parents and grandparents. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Commemorative Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three on-the-go Creatives. Carol Tanzi, ASID, aka Goddess of Garbage, is celebrating 50 years working and owning a San Francisco Bay interior design business with an emphasis on recycling, reusing, repurposing. Jerry Morton, a retired school psychologist, is the author of Reluctant Lieutenant: From Basic to OCS in the Sixties and host of the podcast, Finding My Way: A Memoir by Jerry Morton. Cristina M. Ramirez, founder of TriathlonMami, Inc. and DashStrom Coaching for children and adults, as well as corporate teams, is the author of Empowered by Discomfort. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Repurposing Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes four innovative Creatives. Kalee Boisvert is the author of MoneyWise Mabel’s Bursting Bank, a children’s financial literacy picture book, and non-fiction Make Money Your Thing: Ditch the Shame and Design Your Dream Life to empower women’s financial lives. Kez Wickham St George is an author and artist who has published 14 novels internationally, including the Scribe Chronicles trilogy and three children’s books. She mentors and promotes the work of authors and artists across the world. Les Wolff, a hobby industry pioneer, was the lead appraiser / authenticator for ESPN/Cox’s 2005 Memorabilia Road Tour and teaches a Collect, Invest, Protect and Preserve Memorabilia class. Gary Sirak co-authored How To Retire and Not Die: The 3 Ps That Will Keep You Young, and authored If Your Money Talked...What Secrets Would It Tell? He paints and writes music lyrics. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Pioneering Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes four innovative Creatives. Kalee Boisvert is the author of MoneyWise Mabel’s Bursting Bank, a children’s financial literacy picture book, and non-fiction Make Money Your Thing: Ditch the Shame and Design Your Dream Life to empower women’s financial lives. Kez Wickham St George is an author and artist who has published 14 novels internationally, including the Scribe Chronicles trilogy and three children’s books. She mentors and promotes the work of authors and artists across the world. Les Wolff, a hobby industry pioneer, was the lead appraiser / authenticator for ESPN/Cox’s 2005 Memorabilia Road Tour and teaches a Collect, Invest, Protect and Preserve Memorabilia class. Gary Sirak co-authored How To Retire and Not Die: The 3 Ps That Will Keep You Young, and authored If Your Money Talked...What Secrets Would It Tell? He paints and writes music lyrics. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Pioneering Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three non-stop Creatives. Keith Saltojanes, Founder of Improv-LA creative training center, has taught improv techniques worldwide and holds a Guinness World Record for the Longest Improv Show. He is a Story Specialist at Dreamworks Animation and Creative Specialist at Netflix. Christine Milkovic Krauss is a brunch enthusiast, soap maker and the author of Long and Short Reviews’ 2022 Book of the Year, “Teddy Loses His Ears”, the debut of her true-life adventure series educating young readers about pet care. Victoria Winifred is the author of the middle-grade mythological fantasy, “The Princess, the Knight, and the Lost God: A Chess Story,” and the upcoming “Cozy Chess Club Mysteries” series for ages 7-9. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Ground-Breaking Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three Type-A Creatives. Brenda Prater Sellers, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and trade magazine Man of the Year, wrote “You Slept Where? Calamities of a Clumsy Businesswoman,” chronicling her life from farmer's daughter to president of a global manufacturing company and beyond. Ron Tank, author of The Moses of Wall Street and creator of the Bulletproof Investor and Triple Tank System, turned $40,000 into $2.2+ million in 18 months as a stock market investor. Dr. Mark A. Hicks, the author of Learning Love, is a ghostwriter, life coach, counselor, minister, professional house-sitter / pet-sitter, and has earned four college degrees. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Investing In Your Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three challenge-driven Creatives. Pamela Jane Nye, Owner and CEO of the non-profit Neuroscience Nursing, Limited, and Operation Scrubs, Inc., teaches at the UCLA School of Nursing’s Nurse Practitioner / Clinical Nurse Specialist program and collaborates with the American Nurses Association Enterprise Innovation program. Chuck Foster, a former LA cop, TV and radio broadcaster, and the founder of TFP Entertainment, has 3+ decades of talent representation and unique special event marketing. His post-retirement challenge: Pamela Nye’s The Nurses’ Wall honoring the world’s 20M+ unsung hero nurses. Yasmin Nguyen, author of The Game of Joy: The Secret to Creating Your Own Happiness (Even When Life is Stress), drove across America on an 18-month, 21,000 mile road trip as a Joy Ambassador and created the Joyful Living Project. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: The Joys of Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes four active Creatives. Szifra (Shifra) Birke is a personal and professional connector, Executive Leadership Coach, co-author, and tandem biker. Sara Ting is president and founder of World Unity Inc., a TEDx Speaker, author, Principal of Sara Ting and Associates, former freelance TV reporter and poet-in-residence. Jay Livingston, the co-author with Szifra Birke of In Tandem: Pedaling Through Midlife on a Bicycle Built for Two, is a business author, coach, dog behaviorist, and non-profit developer. Dr. Chris Whaley, who overcame polio to become a pro wrestler, is a pastor and the author of The Masked Saint, which was made into an award-winning movie. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Cycles of Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three highly educated Creatives. Dr. Mark A. Hicks, the author of Learning Love, is a ghostwriter, life coach, counselor, minister, professional house-sitter / pet-sitter, and has earned four college degrees. Dr. Thandi Myeni is a board-certified ophthalmologist MD with a Master’s in Public Health, and an Army major, coach for female physicians with burn-out, and charity marathoner. Dr. Cara Barker, the author of Nightlight: My Soul Calling, Body Listening, Heart Speaking, is a Psychiatric Nurse, artist, dancer, singer, and speaker with four college degrees. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: The Degrees of Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three innovative Creatives. Gene Pranger, creator of The Do Something Wonderful Protocol and the original Interactive Teller Machine (ITM) video banking platform, holds 30+ US patents, trademarks and copyrights. International flight attendant Tania Anderson’s memoir, On Butterflies’ Wings, chronicles her global adventures living in 7 countries. At 70, she still flies to Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Maria Mantoudakis is the author of Tsunami to Greatness, founder of ReCreate Success Now, LLC, and a personal development trainer. Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Banking on Creativity!

akaRadioRed welcomes three dedicated Creatives. Dr. Cynthia Colón is the author of Be Committed. Get Admitted!: 7 Steps to College Admission Success, founder of College Essay Bootcamp and host of Destination YOUniversity podcast. Delia Chiaramonte, MD is the founder of the Integrative Palliative Institute, host of The Integrative Palliative Podcast, and author of the upcoming A Family’s Guide to Navigating Serious Illness. Alicia Moore, author of Crushing it in College: Your 7-Step Guide to an Awesome Adventure, serves on the Board of the Bay Area’s nonprofit Resource Area for Teachers (RAFT). Join akaRadioRed for Read My Lips: Committed to Creativity!