Mental Health Awareness with Sara Troy and her guest David Richman, on air from August 2nd.
Expressive writing, from journaling to structured creative writing, can be extremely therapeutic. Health outcomes include fewer doctor visits, improved organ function, and reduced depression. In an expressive writer’s daily life there are fewer sick days, focus on tasks is enhanced, and interpersonal interaction improves. Once learned, expressive writing opens the door to explore the emotional aspects of one’s traumas, leading to increased emotional health. My expressive writing workshops are led in a guided, personal manner, providing participants a safe and immersive space where they can explore their musings, reflections, and emotions. The process creates a foundation for participants to continue their expressive writing journeys long after the workshops have ended.
BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS AND ORGANIZATIONS Expressive writing workshops deepen the relationship between participants and sponsoring organizations. As a result of the improved mental, physical, and emotional health, gratified participants and their supporters will help organizations grow their donor and referral base. THEMES With a goal of showing the traumatized how to examine the suppressed emotional aspects of their experience, this program’s design empowers a transformative and long-term healing process. Traumatized populations include cancer patients, survivors, loved-ones, and caregivers, as well as those in communities that have experienced physical or emotional abuse, including combat-related trauma, sexual assault, childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, and their loved ones and caregivers, and, importantly, the practitioners who serve those communities.
David has been leading very moving and transformative Expressive Writing Workshops geared towards people affected by all manner of trauma. He combines traditional expressive writing techniques with elements of both narrative and creative writing so that the participants will be well-equipped to continue their expressive writing practices well beyond the workshops. Mental health is such an important topic and David brings his passion, skills, and unique approach to help people connect with their emotions in a whole new way and begin a healing journey.
David was born in Miami and raised mostly in the Los Angeles area. He and his wife split their time between homes in Southern California and Southern Nevada. He has worked in real estate, lending, construction, started both an animation company and a skincare company, and then went into financial services. He has college-aged twins who are as aspirational as their father. After losing his sister to brain cancer, David has organized a yearly fundraiser in her memory, the most recent being the impetus for his upcoming book, Cycle of Lives – 15 People’s Stories, 5,000 Miles, and a Journey Through the Emotional Chaos of Cancer.
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“for the LOVE of Music” with Sara Troy and her guest Marilyn Scott, on air fromAugust 2nd
Marilyn Scott is best known for her Grammy-nominated work as a contemporary jazz musician, having performed with some of the best musicians in the world over the last few decades.
A native of southern California, vocalist Marilyn Scott counts among her earliest influences, artists Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Etta James, Jean Carn and Andy Bey. She began performing in local clubs and fronted soul-jazz bands around the San Francisco Bay area. Among the many friends she made were the guys of Tower of Power, who gave her the opportunity to do backing session vocals with the Oakland-based band. Those recording sessions steered her to making her way back to Los Angeles as a studio session singer, where she performed with musicians and groups including Spyro Gyra, Yellowjackets, Hiroshima, John Mayall, Etta James, Bobby Caldwell and Bobby Womack. Scott’s first recording in 1977, as a solo artist, was a single version of Brian Wilson’s “God Only Knows”, which led to her first album, Dreams of Tomorrow, on Atco/Atlantic. Her discography continued with, 1983 Without Warning, Polygram, 1991 and 1992 Sin-Drome recordings, Smile and Sky Dancing. 1996 and 1998 Warner Bros. releases of Take Me with You and Avenues of Love. The Japanese Venus Records recording, Every Time We Say Goodbye, in 2008.
Marilyn moved to Prana Entertainment and released from 2001 to 2017, Walking With Strangers, Nightcap, Handpicked, Innocent of Nothing, Get Christmas Started and Standard Blue in 2017. Her 2022 release on Blue Canoe Records marks her most recent release, The Landscape.
She has combined her interest in neo-soul, jazz and Brazilian music. She has collaborated with Dori Caymmi, George Duke, Russell Ferrante, Bob James, Jimmy Haslip, Brenda Russell, Bob Mintzer, Perri Sisters, Terri Lyne Carrington, Patrice Rushen and Scott Kinsey.
Marilyn is best known for her Grammy-nominated work as a contemporary jazz vocalist and singer songwriter. As the years have progressed, she has dived deeper into jazz writing and interpretations. Collaborations with many acclaimed artists and musicians have opened and widened her range in a music that’s rich in texture and complexity.
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Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from July 26th
I have been asked for years if I have written a book, my answer is always coming soon. That soon is now; I am taking the time this summer to write my book so I can get going on the collaborative Forgotten Children’s book which comes after mine, so no more delays, here I go.
Easier said than done, it is rather daunting writing about one’s self, Where does one start, what do I cover, what do people want to hear or read? ?????? Do I format it like other books or can I do it a different way, would it be understood if I do it a different way????? and so much more chatter is in my head.
In the end, once all the excuses and chatter has had its say, I will write it as it comes.
I am a blogger, an article writer, so for me to do a long chapter is not my style, so I am writing it as each memory comes to mind and getting it down in no particular order, and rearrange it later. Lets face it, memories come up in the most piacular times in odd ways, so just letting it out in the moment is my best way.
There is one size fits all, some people can put out a book in a jiffy, some it takes years, the real question is, what you are sharing, your truth? or a version of the truth you think people want to see? Just be you, in all your pain, mistakes, missteps and glory, for that every step made you who you are today, and that is what we are celebrating.
So as I delve into my memories, some I wish never to remember, this summer, I leave you with 3000 shows of abundant wisdom to hear, and I will see you back here late August. FIND THEM HERE
I will not be bringing you shows after July 28th until August 30th, and I will be concentrating on my book, and the book invite for the Forgotten Children book series.
I WISH EVERYONE A WONDERFUL SUMMER, AND SEE YOU LATE AUGUST. (I will still be checking emails if you wish to get booked in for September)
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 on Patreon.
Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest Dr Allen Lycka, on air from July 26th
Dr. Allen Steven Lycka was acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world for three decades. A pioneer in cosmetic surgery, he helped to develop laser-assisted tumescent liposuction – an advanced body sculpture technique, and Moh’s Micrographic Surgery, an advanced means of removing skin cancer with 99% success. He has lived and practiced in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada since 1989. He’s written 17 books, 30+ academic papers and hosted the number one internet radio show in the world – Inside Cosmetic Surgery Today. He is a co-founder of Doctors for the “Practice of Safe and Ethical Aesthetic Medicine” and founder of The Canadian Skin Cancer Association. He won the prestigious Consumers Choice Award For Cosmetic Surgery for 16 consecutive years.
In 2003, Dr. Lycka’s life changed drastically when he suddenly developed a right foot drop while on vacation with his family at Disneyland. He promised his wife he would explore it, and after seeing many doctors was misdiagnosed with having ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Still, he maintained his status as a leading cosmetic doctor for 30 years. He later discovered he has Chronic Lyme disease.
Because of what he learned through his experience, he left his practice and co-authored the bestselling book, “The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life” with Harriet Tinka, a former fashion model and Woman of Distinction.
He has also authored two more books: one with Corie Poirier entitled, “bLU Talks Presents: Business, Life and the Universe” and one with Jack Canfield entitled, “The Pillars of Success.” Both books also became bestsellers during the Covid crisis in 2020. Currently acknowledged as a leading expert in Living A Fantastic Life and Turning Points, he is a transformational speaker, thought leader, coach, and mentor.
Dr. Lycka is happily married to Dr. Lucie Bernier-Lycka for 38 years and they have four lovely daughters and seven beautiful grandchildren. He counts his family as his most important accomplishment.
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 on Patreon.
Their Story Matters with Sara Troy and her guest Bari Kang, on air from July 26th
Deeply rooted in his experience as a Punjabi immigrant to America, Bari Kang’s two independent crime thriller films Lucky (2016) and The Scrapper (2022) have earned favorable comparisons to the works of his longtime idols Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. Yet, the multi-talented actor, writer, and director’s personal story of sacrifice and struggle as a DIY filmmaker, has more in common with three world renowned creative hyphenates – Sylvester Stallone, Vin Diesel and Lena Dunham – who, weary from a constant cycle of auditions and rejections, launched their careers by writing scripts they also starred in.
As a self-taught artist, Kang’s success with two films is nothing short of a miracle. His debut film Lucky, a dark, gritty tale inspired by his own personal family experiences as illegal Punjabi immigrants in Queens, NY, won the Audience Award at the Urban world Film Festival and earned the praise of critic Michael Rechtshaffen of the Los Angeles Times: “Kang, in his filmmaking debut proves adept at capturing background detail with a close-up hand-held authenticity. . .Palpably gritty!” Jared Mubarak of The Film Stage wrote of Lucky: “A script bolstered by a complex and relatable antihero.”
Kang’s The Scrapper, earned an 88% aggregate score on Rotten Tomatoes. “I wrote a million-dollar screenplay but could only raise a fraction of that.” Kang humbly credits his committed crew and talented cast for making it happen. The Scrapper, currently available for streaming was released by 1091 Pictures and continues to be distributed around the world. Tim Brennan of About Boulder wrote: “The Scrapper is a smart, solid, crime film that promises more good work from Bari Kang…he’s made a film with a point of view and something to say. Kang is a smart screenwriter.” Movie blogger Federico Furzan said, “The Scrapper is a pearl of its own world of small budget films. . . an action thriller that doesn’t let you rest. . . Bari Kang shines in the film.” Testifying on the compelling, gritty story, Battle Royale With Cheese’s Joel Fisher wrote “Kang creates a gritty world filled with gangsters, tense action and a heart at the centre.” Movie Insider’s review byBrian Renner highlighted him as a multi-hyphenate creator: “Kang shows prowess in all departments from writing/directing to acting.”
Kang’s cultural ties have shaped his work as a filmmaker; beginning with the deflating of a showbiz stereotype attributed to ethnic actors. He grew tired of watching colored performers “being pigeonholed.” Specifically, South Asians feeling obligated to pursue a career in comedy as the only way in. Kang recalls how difficult it was for him growing up in America, as an outsider. Struggling with poverty and living on the fringes, he admits there’s no comedic fodder to be gleaned from a difficult childhood that was often full of tears. The last thing he wanted to do was to become “an Indian funny guy.”
Having experienced real life, Kang became fascinated with the dark side of human nature, drawing him to the films of Scorsese, Tarantino and Brian De Palma. This fascination for the lives of the underdog, the outcast, and the anti-hero, led him to write The Scrapper. Growing up in Queens in the 90s and early 2000s, exposed him to Mafia-Gang culture, and inspired him to think of a thriller involving Punjabis and Italians. “Then I saw the article about a Punjabi truck driver who got caught moving money around for a Mexican cartel. I realized there was a whole shadowy history between these two cultures that seemed a compelling topic to explore. As I researched the Punjabi experience, I stumbled upon the Punjabi-Mexican families in California during the early 1900’s. Even though interracial marriage was illegal at that time, Punjabi men and Mexican women gamed the system because they were judged ‘brown.’ This led to over 1000 Punjabi/Mexican families! I already knew of the contemporary criminal links between Punjabi’s and other cartels and this history became the backbone of The Scrapper. With Jake, the protagonist, I was able to explore my inner conflict between fitting in and staying true to my roots.”
Those roots included a surreal and a bitter history. As a young child, Kang’s life and those of his extended family, were threatened during the 1980’s Sikh Massacres, a series of organized pogroms against Sikhs in India and Punjab which continue to impact the region to this day. Government estimates projected 3,350 Sikhs were killed nationwide, while independent sources claim tens of thousands! Fearful for his family, Kang’s father–who had recently started a hardware business–organized an escape plan that found, five year old Bari, in androgynous disguise, using the passport of his aunt’s young daughter to board a flight to America. Aboard the aircraft, was the first time he used a western style toilet — and crayons! Although he and his aunt entered America illegally as refugees, they were given asylum. Kang became a U.S. citizen in 2011. As for his parents, who escaped Punjab separately, his mother was tortured by Police at one point. They had to go through Mexico to get to the U.S., spending time in California detention camps. His grandfather, too old to leave, encouraged everyone else to go. Once settled in Queens, Kang’s parents toiled in a sweat shop. Eventually, they started a small retail discount store, which the family still owns.
Kang’s commitment to honoring his parents’ sacrifice and struggle, led him to earn an MBA from Columbia Business School, with the hope of launching a career in finance. However, he graduated in 2008 during the economic collapse, and his degree wasn’t enough to get him a job during a precarious time. But he worked non-paying internships in the film business, which rekindled his creative aspirations as an Actor.
Though many thought he was crazy, he forged ahead and sought out the best acting teachers in New York; eventually getting on the frustrating treadmill of auditions and rejections. With the obvious lack of opportunities for ethnic actors, he took the advice of a prominent casting director and decided to write his own projects to star in. Kang says, “I felt I had the skills to be a leading man, and the only way was to make a movie and prove it.”
“It’s never easy, especially with a budding young family to raise, and sometimes I have doubts. However, there’s always something inside that keeps pushing me ahead. When I strike a powerful chord with my characters and get lost in a whole new world I created, then it becomes exhilarating. The business is frustrating, but I’m grateful for my journey. If I make a movie that’s both entertaining and meaningful, I’ve achieved something.
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 on Patreon.
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