Choose Positive Living with Sara Troy and her guest Ivana Chubbuck, on air from April 29th
Renowned acting teacher and bestselling author Ivana Chubbuck. The updated edition of her book, THE POWER OF THE ACTOR(Avery/Penguin Random House), was published on April 29th. Ivana speaks to anyone who is serious about overcoming hurdles, hardships, and inner demons to achieve their goals. Ivana will share with your listeners tools and exercises to turn conflicts, traumas, insecurities, fears and shame into positive forces to fuel achievement, with a focus on winning.
What do Halle Berry, Beyoncé, Gal Gadot, Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, Sylvester Stallone, Eva Mendes and Shia LaBeouf have in common besides fame and fortune? They can all credit a significant part of their skills to acting teacher Ivana Chubbuck.
THE POWER OF THE ACTOR is a revolutionary guide that unlocks the secrets of her transformative Chubbuck Technique. In addition to star-studded stories, The Power of the Actor offers a panoramic map for anyone serious about professional transformation. Her dynamic 12-step approach shows, actors, writers and directors how to unlock emotional depth and create performances that ring with authenticity. It’s also for anyone who is serious about overcoming hurdles, hardships, and inner demons to achieve their goals.
Drawing on psychology, behavioural science, cultural anthropology and examples of real-life heroes, Ivana takes the search for rich inner emotional information to the next level by focusing on winning. Ivana teaches people how to access their emotions to not just feel them, but also use them with dimension and power.
IVANA CHUBBUCK is the creator of the widely adopted Chubbuck Technique, an acting method taught in universities and in accredited studios all over the world. Her students — Halle Berry, Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Gal Gadot, Sylvester Stallone, Eva Mendes and Shia LaBeouf, among thousands, have gone on to win major awards, including Oscars, Emmys and Tonys. She lives in Los Angeles, where she runs the Ivana Chubbuck Studio. Her daughter, Claire Chubbuck, an award-winning filmmaker and Chubbuck teacher, is the legacy for furthering Ivana’s mission of empowerment through the arts.
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 Nick Marshall, on air from April 29th
Nick Marshall, New York City-based writer, actor, director, producer and author of the new book, Try Again: An Ex-Con’s Path from Prison to Prosperity. This is about the struggle, hope (both loss of and holding on to), grit and perseverance. It’s a story about working hard and trying again, even when we feel the odds are stacked against us — and about the desire to be a person of humility and integrity.
Nick’s journey back into society has been anything but easy. With a criminal record shadowing his every step, finding steady work and forming new relationships meant constantly confronting and disclosing his past. Despite these barriers, he poured himself into the hospitality industry, relentlessly climbing the ranks until he found himself at the center of New York City’s elite nightlife, working at iconic clubs like Avenue, The Darby, 1OAK, and Up&Down. But the path from suburban New Jersey kid to state prison inmate sentenced for armed robbery taught him hard, humbling lessons. Immersed in the glitz of A-list celebrity culture, Nick eventually lost himself in the illusion, costing him not only his career but his mental health and sense of stability. Through it all, his grounding force has always been storytelling, reading, and writing became his anchors, offering clarity amid chaos. Now pursuing his lifelong dream of being an artist, actor, director, and writer, Nick channels his pain into purpose. He co-founded The Collective NY, a not-for-profit theatre and film company dedicated to the authentic creative expression. His directorial debut, A Long Road, currently in pre-production, reflects his journey, a testament to the resilience, redemption, and the long path to healing. Nick continues to face challenges tied to PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and addiction, but through art, he finds strength, meaning, and a connection.
Nick Marshall’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and the price of chasing dreams. At just 21, he walked out of prison after serving three years for armed robbery, carrying the weight of his past and the uncertainty of a future as an ex-con. Though he had a steady job, a roof over his head, and the basics for survival, something deeper called to him, his need to create, to express, to be more than his record.
Willing to risk stability for purpose, Nick started at the bottom of the hospitality industry, eventually climbing his way into New York City’s high-end nightlife. From bartending to brand ambassador, he moved through the velvet ropes of celebrity-studded clubs like Avenue, The Darby, 1OAK, and Up&Down. Surrounded by fame, luxury, and endless access, Nick looked like he had made it. But beneath the surface, the fast life took its toll on his mental health, his identity, and the very dream that started it all.
Try Again: An Ex-Con’s Path from Prison to Prosperity is Nick’s raw, inspiring account of rebuilding a life against the odds. It’s about losing everything, more than once, and still choosing to rise. Today, he’s a writer, actor, director, and co-founder of The Collective NY, a not-for-profit theater and film company where he brings stories to life—his own and others’. His journey isn’t just for those who’ve been incarcerated, it’s for anyone who’s ever had to start over, question their worth, or fight to become who they were always meant to be. He is currently in pre-production for his first directorial feature, A Long Road, based on his experience as an ex-convict trying to reintegrate into society, and a scripted series based on his experience in a New Jersey state prison. Try Again is his first book.
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.
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 Living with Sara Troy and her guest Chaiara Barbera, on air from April 22nd
Join Chiara Barbera as she shares her journey from Australia to the heart of Calabria, where a deep connection to her Italian roots sparked a mission to preserve disappearing traditions. Through her project Vera Italia, Chiara invites travellers to become active participants in sustaining culture—connecting with artisans, farmers, and families whose way of life tells the story of the real Italy. This episode is for anyone seeking more than a postcard-perfect trip—for those who crave meaning, connection, and a chance to help keep Italy’s soul alive, one experience at a time.
Chiara Barbera is the founder of Vera Italia, a mission-driven platform connecting travellers 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.
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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