MIkki Gaffen Stone Became A Montessori Assistant Teacher In Belgium To Connect With Her Children’s Education. She Later Pursued Studies In The USA, Becoming A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. This Ignited A Profound Understanding Of Human Potential, Leading Her To Doctoral Studies. With A Passion For Sharing Knowledge And Raising Her Two Sons As Global Citizens, She’s Dedicated To Sharing Her Insights From Both Life And Academics.
I have been a child advocate since I was a child myself, living in uncertain and frequently unsafe circumstances. I learned early on to gauge people’s moods and anticipate their behaviors in order to know when to hide and when to run to keep myself safe. As I grew older, my sense of justice and a need to protect others became quite fierce. Then I had children. We traveled the world encountering different cultures, learning the norms, rules and restrictions placed on the child and dictating the role of the parent. I intentionally parented my own children differently from my peers and have since made it my mission to help other parents learn ways to do better with their children than they received from their own parents. This is not about blaming anyone for what they cannot help, it’s about cycle breaking.
Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air fromApril 29th
In a world constantly seeking the grand finale, the big bang, the dramatic pivot, the life-altering moment, we often miss the quiet miracles that live in the in-between. The truth is, it’s not always a thunderous event that changes everything. More often, it’s one small drop a single moment of insight, a gentle word, a quiet act of kindness—that sets a new path in motion. One drop becomes another, and then another, rippling out into something much larger than we could have ever predicted.
The ripple effect begins the moment we choose to be present. It could be a smile shared with a stranger, a pause before reacting harshly, or a thoughtful message to someone who’s hurting. These simple acts, small as they may seem, hold immense power. They shift energies, soften walls, and open doors to connection. They create a rhythm of change, one that moves through hearts, homes, and communities without needing applause.
We look to the world for transformation, hoping institutions, governments, or movements will change everything overnight. But real, sustainable change is personal first. It is born in the whisper of a thought, the weight of a feeling, and the intention behind our actions. Our thoughts are the first drops. Our words carry them outward. Our actions plant them into the soil of the world around us.
It is in the subtleties where the greatest impact lives. Like water shaping stone, consistency in small, mindful choices leaves a lasting mark. Speak to others in the tone you would want to receive. Let your words be an invitation to joy, comfort, or clarity. Think before you speak, not just to avoid harm, but to ensure your voice becomes a balm rather than a blow.
We are all seeking something: peace, meaning, a better way to live. But we don’t find it waiting for someone else to do the work. We find it by becoming the ripple. By embodying the change. We are at the beginning of the wave that can rise and carry others with us.
This is the heart of what I speak to on my shows: the magic of the everyday, the extraordinary within the ordinary. Through the stories of others and reflections of self, we explore how each of us can create meaningful change, not by waiting for the world to shift, but by choosing to drop love, kindness, and purpose into the waters of life.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support. Thank you. Please support Our Forgotten Seniorsanthology and help to bring this book to awareness.
Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Chaiara Barbera, on air from April 29th
The importance of maintaining traditions and celebrating the people who continue them, through recopies from the past.
Chiara Barbera is on a mission to continue Italian traditions. Assaggio is her heartfelt project dedicated to preserving Italian traditions by bringing the warmth, wisdom, and traditions of Italian grandparents (Nonni) to life through engaging online experiences. Born in Brisbane to four Italian grandparents, Chiara was raised on stories and the deep values that define Italian culture. Her grandparents’ courage to leave Italy for a better life laid the foundation for her own path—one that now brings her back to their homeland with a mission to give something meaningful in return. More recently, her work has extended to the motherland with Vera Italia, a platform that offers travellers the chance to engage with Italy’s living heritage through in-person encounters with artisans, farmers, and families. Together, these projects form a love letter to her roots—a calling she believes was guided by faith, and a legacy that she is determined to honour, preserve, and pass on.
Chiara Barbera is the founder of Vera Italia, a mission-driven platform connecting travelers with the true spirit of Italy through cultural and culinary experiences. Born in Brisbane to four Italian grandparents, Chiara grew up surrounded by stories, recipes, and values deeply rooted in her heritage. Her grandparents’ courage to leave Italy in search of a better life laid the foundation for her own journey—a return to the homeland they once left, with the hope of giving something back.
Now dividing her time between Italy and Australia, Chiara begins this journey in Calabria, Italy’s hidden gem, to connect with the Culture Creators—artisans, farmers, cooks, and families—who keep the spirit of Italy alive. Through Vera Italia, she helps others discover the beauty of these traditions, not only to experience them but to ensure they continue for generations to come.
Her work is a love letter to her roots, a calling she believes was guided by faith, and a legacy that she is determined to honour, preserve, and pass on.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support. Thank you. Please support Our Forgotten Seniors anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.
Choose Positive Livingwith Sara Troy and her guest Laura Munson, on air from April 29th
International bestselling author and acclaimed writing workshop leader Laura Munson for her new book, THE WILD WHY: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder.
Why is the sky blue? Why do only birds get to fly? Is there a God? And if so, why does God let bad things happen? Why do people die? It’s natural for children to ask questions, big and small. But too often, adults brush off such questions as an annoyance, or scold kids for being rude, or even respond to their asking with punishment. When that happens, many children stop asking and grow up to become adults who believe it’s safer to stay quiet and squelch their inherent, and essential, sense of wonder.
THE WILD WHY is a deeply personal memoir and an empowering guide that blends Laura Munson’s life stories, awakenings, and hard-earned lessons with thoughtful teachings, reflective exercises, and heartfelt calls to action—inviting readers to uncover their own “wild why.” At its core is the magic of wonder—that universal mix of curiosity and awe we all feel when encountering something beautiful and mysterious, like a rainbow. Through her journey as a writer and seeker, navigating the highs of success and the heartbreak of divorce, Munson takes us from the quiet woods of Montana to a hammam in Morocco, the hill towns of Mexico and Tuscany, and an ancient stone circle in Ireland. In each place, she discovers profound truths about surrender, kindness, and the richness of life’s mysteries—ultimately guiding us toward deeper empathy, connection, and self-love.
LAURA MUNSON is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa’s Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London’s This Morning, Australia’s Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana.
THE WILD WHY affirms a universal truth – as Laura Munson attests: “We’re all creative! Every act of living is creative. Every step we take, every choice we make, every word that comes out of our mouth—it’s all an act of creation!” What could be more wonderful than that?
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support. Thank you. Please support Our Forgotten Seniors anthology and help to bring this book to awareness.
Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air fromApril 23rd
Breathing, something we take for granted until we are short of breath
Breathing, something we all do without a second thought. Inhale. Exhale. The rhythm of life. But the truth is, we don’t often appreciate our breath… until it’s stolen from us by illness, fear, trauma, or time.
When the lungs struggle, everything slows. The body panics. The mind races. Suddenly, each breath becomes a conscious effort, a negotiation between spirit and body, a plea to stay calm, to find space, to survive.
Shortness of breath isn’t just physical; it’s emotional, spiritual. It can feel like life itself is pressing pause, holding you in a moment of vulnerability, reminding you just how sacred breath really is.
That’s why lung health isn’t just a medical issue, it’s a life issue, a soul issue. And it deserves both the brilliance of science and the nurturing hands of nature.
Yes, we need the medicines that open the airways when a crisis hits.
Yes, we need the doctors, the oxygen tanks, the life-saving protocols. But we also need the stillness of mindful breathwork, the soothing comfort of mullein tea, the gentle power of qigong, and the emotional healing that comes from being heard.
Let’s stop seeing lungs as just organs; they are our inner winds, the bellows of our life force. When we care for them medically, holistically, and soulfully, we reclaim the grace of breath and the freedom it brings.
So, breathe in this truth: Every breath is a gift.And with every exhale, you have the power to heal.
Heart and Tree, we are like nature and follow the same path to breathe.
?? What is Croup?
Croup is a viral infection that affects young children (mostly under 5), causing swelling in the upper airways, particularly around the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea).
Key signs of croup:
A barking cough (like a seal)
Hoarseness
Stridor (a high-pitched wheeze when inhaling)
Often worse at night or early morning
Usually comes after a cold or mild fever
It’s contagious and usually caused by viruses like parainfluenza.
Treatment:
Humidified air or steam can help
Cool night air sometimes eases symptoms
In more serious cases, a doctor might prescribe steroids to reduce swelling
? What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the lower airways in the lungs. Asthma can kill and is still doing so today.
Key symptoms:
Wheezing (especially when exhaling)
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Coughing (often worse at night or early morning)
Asthma is triggered by things like allergies, exercise, cold air, stress, or infections.
Treatment:
Inhalers (like Ventolin or corticosteroids)
Long-term management plans
Avoiding triggers
? So, are they alike?
They both involve breathing trouble but:
Croup is a short-term illness, mainly in little ones, and affects the upper airway.
Asthma is a chronic condition, can affect all ages and impacts the lower lungs.
Different roots, different treatments — but they both deserve attention when they show up.
let’s take a soulful stroll through the breath of life — the lungs — and talk not just about the conditions but how both modern medicine and holistic care dance together to bring healing and balance.
?? Common Lung Conditions (Beyond Croup & Asthma)
1. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
A progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. It includes:
Emphysema: Damage to the air sacs (alveoli)
Chronic bronchitis: Constant cough and mucus
Mostly caused by smoking, pollutants, or long-term exposure to irritants.
2. Pneumonia
An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus.
Causes: Bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
3. Pulmonary Fibrosis
The lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred, making it harder to breathe deeply.
Often idiopathic (unknown cause), but can also be linked to environmental exposures or autoimmune conditions.
4. Lung Cancer
The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. One of the most serious lung diseases.
5. Bronchitis
The airways become abnormally widened, leading to build-up of mucus and recurrent infections.
? Medical Drugs: Lifesavers & Lifelong Companions
Modern medicine has its place — no doubt. When things are acute, severe, or life-threatening, it’s often the first responder.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation; if you enjoyed this show, please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support. Thank you. Please support Our Forgotten Seniorsanthology and help to bring this book to awareness.
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